When Zijin saw Master Yang, she asked, "Master, should I tell Madam about this or not?" She knew Mama Qu meant well, but she felt she should not hide it from Madam. The most important thing was that she thought the matter could not be hidden at all.
Master Yang pondered for a moment before saying, "It's better to tell her. It's better for you to tell her than someone else. I think that girl Han can brace herself." Master Yang was actually unsure since this matter was too big after all.
Zijin said with a crying expression, "Master, Madam is still pregnant!" If Yuxi hadn't been pregnant, she would have told her about it without hesitation. But with such a big belly and the due date getting nearer, what if Yuxi was stimulated to deliver her baby prematurely? One death causing the end of another two lives wasn't something Zijin wanted to think about.
Master Yang looked at Zijin and said, "Even if you don't say anything, someone else will still tell her about this. So you should inform her about it yourself."
Zijin's expression showed she was at a loss for what to do while struggling inwardly.
Master Yang offered, "If you can't open your mouth, let me do it then!" Someone had to be the bad guy.
Zijin shook her head. "Forget it. I should tell her myself!"
When Mama Qu saw Zijin come in, she was startled and asked, "Gunainai[1], I thought we agreed for you to pretend to be sick. Why did you come here again?" Luckily she had not told Madam that Zijin was sick. Otherwise, Madam would have been suspicious.
Zijin said, "I just spoke with my Master about this for quite a while, and he strongly advised me not to hide this matter from Madam. Even if we managed to conceal it from her, those with ill will towards Madam and the General would still come to the gate and tell Madam about it. So it would be better if we were the ones who told her instead."
Mama Qu froze for a moment and spoke after a while, "Then wait here first. I'll ask Mama Xi to accompany you into the study." Yuxi was in the study at the moment.
Mama Xi was also full of worry when she found out about this. Her opinion was also to hide it if they could, but it was still too long before the birth, and it would be difficult to hide. So she didn't object to Zijin's suggestion.
When Yuxi saw Zijin enter the study with Mama Xi, she put down the art of war book in her hand and smilingly asked, "Why did you two come in together?"
Zijin's tears came out before she could say anything: "Madam, the entire Dingbei Army has been wiped out, and the General is......" She couldn't even say, 'killed in the battle'.
After hearing these words, Yuxi became completely numb, and her mind turned blank.
When Mama Xi saw this scene, she rushed forward to support Yuxi and called out, "Madam, you must remain calm! Madam, you must be calm for the child in your belly!"
At the sound of Mama Xi's yelling, Yuxi returned to her senses. With her hands propped up on the table, Yuxi looked at Zijin and asked, "Is there any definite news that the General has been killed in battle?" Ah, it's impossible. Yun Qing can't die like this.
Zijin shook her head. "No, but the battle report from the frontline came back saying that the entire Dingbei Army has been wiped out, and the other two armies also suffered heavy losses."
Hearing this, Yuxi let out a long breath. Yun Qing was still alive and well when she died in her previous life. So this time, too, he could still head off this disaster and would return home safely.
Mama Xi was a little shocked to see how quickly Yuxi regained her composure and that she had not been overstimulated as she had expected. She didn't know whether to say that Yuxi was too strong to endure things or that she cared too little about her husband, Yun Qing. However, Yuxi's following words made it clear that she had overthought.
Yuxi turned towards Zijin and Mama Xi and said, "Don't worry, the General will be fine. I am sure that he will return safely."
At this point, Yuxi's face changed. "There are only 100,000 troops in Yu City, and almost all of the 60,000 that went on the expedition were lost. With only 40,000 troops left, can they stand up to the northern barbarians' army?"
When these words were uttered, Mama Xi's face turned bloodless with fear. Zijin was fine. Not to mention that the northern barbarians had not yet entered the city; even if they did, she was not afraid. "Madam, in this situation, do you think we should go to Xinping City?" She didn't feel any fear, but Madam was still pregnant, so she thought it would be better for Yuxi to leave.
Mama Xi looked at Yuxi, hoping that Yuxi would agree to Zijin's suggestion.
Yuxi shook her head. "No, I'm not going anywhere. I'll just wait here for the General to return." Although Xinping City was a few days' journeys away from Yu City, there was no barrier between Yu City and Xinping City. Once the northern barbarians broke through Yu City, Xinping City would be doomed unless she went to the provincial capital, which was so far away. However, she was currently pregnant. She could not afford to travel long distances in her present condition. If the child was born halfway, she would suffer, and the child might be unable to stay alive.
Zijin didn't try to persuade her, stating, "I'll be wherever you are, Madam." To live and die together.
Yuxi smiled and nodded her head.
Mama Qu noticed Mama Xi had come out of the room. Since there was no movement from inside, she assumed that Madam was fine. But she suddenly felt something was wrong when she realised Mama Xi's face looked pale. Mama Qu asked, "Is there something wrong with Madam?" She should be fine, or else Zijin would have shouted.
Mama Xi shook her head. "Madam said the General would be fine and return safely." Mama Xi did not tell Mama Qu about the possibility of the northern barbarians' army breaking through Yu City, for it would be useless to do so. If Madam stayed, all of them who served her would have to do the same. If she told Mama Qu, it would only add one more person who would be anxious and scared.
Mama Qu was relieved to hear this. "That's good." Madam's mental capacity was beyond her imagination.
Shiliu walked over and said towards Mama Qu, "Mama, Tongzhi[2] Hong's wife is asking for an audience outside, saying that she has come to visit Madam."
A flash of disgust appeared in Mama Qu's eyes, but she still went into the study to tell Yuxi about it. Since Madam already knew about the incident, it was up to Madam to decide whether to see the sudden visitor or not.
When Yuxi heard that Tongzhi[2] Hong's wife, Xu Shi[3], had come to visit her, she sneered. "Tell her that after I discovered that the Dingbei Army had been wiped out, I was too upset until I had gotten pregnancy complications. It's inadvisable for me to see any guests for a while." She would have been described as cold-blooded and heartless if she had acted indifferent after knowing that the Dingbei Army had been annihilated. So it was only fitting that she should refuse to see any guests on the pretext that she was suffering from pregnancy discomfort.
Zijin was unhappy hearing Yuxi curse herself so well. In case it came true, it would be Yuxi who would be crying all over. Zijin suggested, "Why don't we change it to another excuse? It's too unlucky to use that reason."
Yuxi responded, "It's not so much of a taboo, and this is the best excuse." Finding any other cover story would not only fail to achieve good results but might also attract criticism.
Zijin was a bit annoyed. "Why is there never a day of peace here!" If Yun Qing had been in a real accident, Madam would certainly not be as calm as she was at that moment. And it wouldn't be easy for a married woman to live in this world without her husband around. Zijin even thought it would be better to return to the capital after Yuxi had given birth. At least the Lord Duke would be there. Thus, they wouldn't have any fear of being bullied by others.
A noob translator, きつね, translated this noob translation. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.site. If you read this in another location other than site stated, it has been taken without the translator's permission. Please don't support this kind of act.
Yuxi walked out, looked outside at the turquoise blue sky and said, "It won't be long before we can have a peaceful life." With this incident, she believed Yun Qing would no longer tolerate Qin Zhao, and at that time, she would not have her hands and feet bound[4] anymore.
When Xu Gu, the wife of Tongzhi[2] Hong, heard that Yuxi had pregnancy complications, she left after leaving a few insipid words of concern. She didn't go home either but went straight to the Qin Residence to tell Xu Shi about it.
Xu Shi sneered after hearing this news and said, "Virtue has its reward and evil its retribution. Retribution has now come for the day she harmed the Xu family and me."
Madam Hong, Xu Gu, did not feel deeply about Yuxi's pregnancy complications. She was now worried about something else. "Jiejie[5], there are only 40,000 people left in the garrison of Yu City. Can such a small number of people defend Yu City?" Not only was Xu Gu unsure, but even Tongzhi[2] Hong also shared the same sentiment.
Xu Shi was uncertain either, but she did not show it, as she responded with a relaxed expression, "Yu City is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It will be fine."
Xu Gu said, "Jiejie[5], I think it is better to plan ahead. If you can, you should pack your things and take my nephew and niece to leave Yu City for Xinping City. It's too dangerous here!" If Xu Shi finally left, it would be inconspicuous if she did the same.
Xu Shi had another plan. It was true that it was dangerous to stay in Yu City, but Xinping City wasn't that much safer either. It was better to go to the provincial capital if she had to escape. But she would not say this to Xu Gu. "What are you talking about? Forty thousand troops are enough to defend Yu City. Furthermore, your jiefu[6] is still here. How can I leave without him."[T/C]
Xu Gu did not notice anything peculiar in Xu Shi's answer and thought that Xu Shi truthfully did not want to leave. Hence, she stopped her persuasion. But in the back of her mind, she was planning to go back and pack her belongings to leave Yu City tomorrow with her children.
Zijin looked at the calm-faced Yuxi, who was taking her time in what she was doing, causing Zijin to be worried instead. "Madam, if there is anything you want to say, just let it out! Don't hold it in your heart."
Yuxi put down the needle and thread in her hands and answered with a smile, "Don't worry about me. I already said the General would be fine. He will come back home safely."
With reddened eyes, Zijin spoke, "Madam, if you want to cry, please do so. Just don't smile. When you smile, it creeps me out." Looking at Yuxi smiling, she wanted to cry. Madam must have been too heartbroken, which was why she acted abnormally.
Yuxi helplessly replied, "I'm fine. Don't think foolishly."
Hearing this reply, Zijin said, "I've asked for a physician. You should let him check your health."
Yuxi looked at Zijin like she was an idiot. "If the physician finished taking my pulse and then spread the news that I was alright, wouldn't I be exposed?"
Only then did Zijin realise that she had done another stupid thing. Alas, if she had usually done such a foolish thing, Mama Qu and the others would have stopped her, but now, it might not be so.
Yuxi suggested, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Mama Xi to come and take a look. If you don't trust me, you should trust Mama Xi, right?"
No matter what Yuxi said, Zijin could not be at ease. When it was time to go to bed at night, Zijin told Yuxi, "Madam, I will sleep with you."
Yuxi was not used to sleeping with others and said, "If you don't feel at ease, you can stay and keep watch at night."
Zijin agreed. "Okay. I'll stay with Mama Xi." With Mama Xi around, she wouldn't panic if there was any problem with Yuxi.
Footnotes Full List
- (coll.) form of address for an unmarried girl or woman, expressing affection or reproach. Usually, it is used as a respectful address for a married woman by members of her parents' family, just like how the Han family members refer to married daughters like Yuxi. Yuchen is a special case because she married into the royal family. She must be addressed with her title.
- an old word for government deputy prefect during the Ming and Qing dynasties
- She is related to Xu Shi, who married Qin Zhao. They're from the same Xu (许) clan.
- Chinese idiom: be over-cautious
- older sister
- elder sister's husband; brother-in-law
- So…are they really siblings or…cousins? 🤔 The Chinese family tree is so complicated, just like the Han family. Yuru and Yuxi are cousins, but rather than calling Yuru Da Tangjie (da=eldest, tangjie=daughter of one's father's brother, who is older than oneself), Yuxi called Yuru Dajie instead. I'm 😵💫. Somebody help explain it to me. Why didn't the author follow this?
Image Credit | Andreas-Mandarin-HSK_6 (The complicated Chinese Family Tree, May 2021)
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi