Chapter 799: Chapter 759: Marriage Alliance, But Not With the Imperial Family (Part 2)

Wei Qian arranged for hidden guards to secretly protect Lin Xiaoyue and her son at the Su Family, reporting back daily.

Wen Wan heard that Lin Xiaoyue had no suspicions towards her, feeling uneasy, she pretended to be ill at home for two days, but still decided to visit the Su Mansion.

Song Yuanbao feared Wen Wan’s softness, so he stayed home these past days.

Upon hearing the servant say that Madam was preparing to leave the mansion, Song Yuanbao rushed to the inner courtyard immediately.

"Mother, you can’t go to the Su Family." He blocked the door, looking very serious, "If Aunt Lin finds out that Amuer will be sent to Bei Yan, she will surely take precautions in advance. If she hides Amuer, and when Bei Yan demands him, and we can’t hand him over, the war won’t end, and so many people have already died in Northern Border, we can’t let more people sacrifice for this war."

Wen Wan said, "I won’t tell her, I’m just going to accompany her, during this time, she needs someone to comfort her the most."

"If that’s the case, then I advise you even more not to go." Song Yuanbao seemed determined to keep her at home, "You know Aunt Lin’s character, she is straightforward and honest, she cannot tolerate being deceived. If you know the truth yet visit her without telling her, when Amuer is sent away, your sisterhood with her will surely end."

Wen Wan knew well that once she showed up at the Su Mansion, when Lin Xiaoyue learned the truth in the future, there would be no turning back.

But she remembered the days when Song Wei faked his death, when she couldn’t eat or sleep well, it was Lin Xiaoyue who accompanied her every day. The girl, originally a pampered young lady with no patience, showed utmost kindness during that time.

That was when she knew Song Wei wasn’t dead.

But now, Lin Xiaoyue was being criticized and isolated for adopting a Jiuli Clan child, and Su Qing happened to not be by her side. Imagine how upset and aggrieved she must be? If it were her, she would also wish to have someone to confide in.

Thinking of this, Wen Wan became even more steadfast in her decision, looking at Song Yuanbao, "I still have to go."

"Mother!" Song Yuanbao was helpless, "Have you thought it through? Gambling your years of friendship with Aunt Lin?"

Wen Wan lowered her eyelids, "When I was at my lowest, she was always by my side. Now it’s her turn, I can’t hide at home and pretend not to see. No matter how much she will hate me in the future, at this moment, she needs me."

These words left Song Yuanbao suddenly at a loss for how to respond.

He recalled when he recklessly rushed into the Imperial Clan Court to save Zhao Xi, knowing he was weak and powerless, yet he went, simply because he felt Zhao Xi needed him at that moment.

He sighed lightly and gave in, "Since Mother is determined, then go."

...

After entrusting Qi Bao to the wet nurse and instructing on matters of the courtyard, Wen Wan got on a carriage heading straight for the Su Mansion.

Outside the Su Mansion’s main gate appeared to have just experienced a "calamity," littered with debris, while two servants outside were cleaning up.

Seeing the Song Mansion carriage approaching, they quickly ran over to remove the movable threshold, then greeted her respectfully through the curtain.

Wen Wan didn’t show her face, staying inside the carriage and asked the two, "How is your Madam doing?"

The two servants exchanged glances, then sighed in unison.

Wen Wan didn’t linger, instructing the coachman to drive inside.

When the carriage stopped outside the Hanging Flower Gate, a servant had already reported to Lin Xiaoyue, who was now smiling, standing in the corridor, clearly having waited for some time.

As Wen Wan lifted the curtain to get down, she saw from afar that Lin Xiaoyue had lost weight.

"Haven’t been eating well these days?" Wen Wan asked while walking inside.

"I’m so troubled, how could I eat?" Lin Xiaoyue said, walking up to link arms with her, "But now it’s better, with you here, I might be able to eat a bit more."

Wen Wan looked at her, suppressing her heartache, "Yuanbao has met with His Highness, with His Highness attending to illness and the instability of the Northern Border’s military situation, he’s been too frustrated to care about outside matters."

"I know." Lin Xiaoyue said, "That day, a servant from your mansion told me."

"Don’t be sad." Wen Wan grasped her somewhat cold hand, "In a few days, the results from the imperial examination will be out, that will overshadow Amuer’s issue. Once the rumors die down, naturally no one will care anymore."

Lin Xiaoyue suddenly asked her, "Wen Wan, do you believe Amuer is a monster?"

"Of course I don’t believe it." Wen Wan said.

Lin Xiaoyue gave a bitter smile, "In this world, where are there monsters? Even if there were, how could monsters be scarier than the human heart?"

In just these few days, Lin Xiaoyue deeply felt what it means that "rumors are more dangerous than tigers."

The scariest thing is not a person thinking you’re a monster, but everyone thinking you’re a monster.

That kind of dark life, hiding at home, not daring to go out under the sun, made her even suspect if she herself was a monster.

"Don’t be afraid, things will eventually pass." Wen Wan comforted her, "With Mr. Qi not around, you are the main support for Ah Nuan and Amuer, their spiritual pillar. You must eat and sleep well, if you fall first, what will happen to the two children?"

Lin Xiaoyue suddenly sniffled, looked at her and smiled, "Wen Wan, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"I know, everyone outside wishes they could stay far away from our house, yet you’re still willing to accompany me. You must be under a lot of pressure."

"Who are we to each other to say such things?" Wen Wan chuckled lightly, "Alright, I can see you didn’t even have lunch, go back inside, let the kitchen prepare some food, and you can eat to your heart’s content. If the sky falls, Mr. Qi’s people will hold it up for you, what’s there to be afraid of?"

"You’re right." With Wen Wan’s guidance, Lin Xiaoyue felt much better, returning inside, she had the kitchen prepare some small dishes, insisting Wen Wan eat with her.

Wen Wan wasn’t really hungry, but still accompanied her to eat half a bowl of rice.

After the meal, they went to the west wing to visit the children.

Ah Nuan was learning music, while Amuer sat quietly in a chair nearby, swinging his little legs, his face chubby with baby fat nurtured by Lin Xiaoyue.

Seeing Wen Wan, Amuer was very happy, glancing behind her, not seeing Jinbao, a trace of confusion flashed across his small face.

Wen Wan understood, telling him, "Jinbao didn’t come today, Aunt Wan will bring him to see you tomorrow, alright?"

Amuer nodded, his chubby finger pointing in Ah Nuan’s direction, indicating for Wen Wan to keep quiet and listen carefully to Ah Nuan’s music.

Seeing him so well-behaved and sensible, Wen Wan felt a pang in her heart, knowing soon he would be sent to Bei Yan.

...

Zhao Xi finished reviewing memorials when another military report from Northern Border arrived, reporting the number of civilians and soldiers who died from the plague.

Although Yun Huai’s medicine had timely reached the Northern Border, slowing the plague’s spread, people were still dying every day.

Mr. Cui from Qianqing Palace passed word that the Emperor wished to see the Crown Prince.

Zhao Xi tidied the writing desk, then hurriedly followed Mr. Cui to Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Guangxi was emaciated, barely skin and bones, his eyes almost couldn’t open, asking Zhao Xi, "How many have died from the plague in Northern Border?"

Zhao Xi replied, "Father, these matters will be handled by me, you just focus on recuperating, don’t worry too much about other things."

Emperor Guangxi sighed weakly, "Did I make a mistake back then?"

If he hadn’t ordered Xu Guangfu and Su Qing to seize West Yue back then, perhaps Beiyang Imperial Concubine wouldn’t have sought revenge, perhaps the current tragedy in Northern Border wouldn’t have occurred?

While the Crown Prince didn’t speak of it, Emperor Guangxi had his own intelligence network and was fully aware of the situation in Northern Border, deeply regretting his decision at the time, yet there’s no chance to redo.

Zhao Xi said, "Please rest assured, Father, this war will end soon."

...

The situation concerning Amuer escalated further, with Bei Yan’s hidden guards immediately relaying the information to the Imperial Concubine.

Upon learning that the Chosen One was alive and in the Chu Country’s Capital, the Imperial Concubine’s enchanting eyes suddenly filled with malevolence.

She ordered the palace maid who dropped the tea cup executed with a beating, adjusted her luxurious robe, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of her crimson lips, "Prepare the ride, I shall have an audience with the Emperor."

...

On the morning of the imperial exam results announcement, Zhao Xi received Bei Yan’s state letter.

The letter stated that as long as Chu Country sends Amuer to Bei Yan, Bei Yan will order the withdrawal of troops and send a Princess for marriage alliance.

It also mentioned that this Peace Princess greatly admired the man who could kill two Grandmasters and survive, thus she refused to marry into the Imperial Family, specifically naming Yun Family Head, Yun Huai, as the one she wished to marry.