Chapter 122: I Had a Dream
"A while ago, I had a dream."
Yun Chu began speaking slowly.
"In the dream, it was about ten years later. Father led the Yun Family Army to crush the Western Frontier, and the vast Western Frontier was incorporated into our territory. The Yun family achieved such great merit that the whole nation celebrated... Right at that moment, someone suddenly submitted a memorial accusing the Yun family of plotting rebellion. They even found letters proving the Yun family's collusion with foreign states. The Emperor ordered a thorough investigation, which concluded that the Yun family had conspired with foreign states in an attempt to put the Eighth Prince on the throne. With both witnesses and material evidence, the court was thrown into turmoil. All hundred-plus members of the Yun family were thrown into the imperial prison, and our home was confiscated!"
"To prove the Yun family's innocence with his own life, Grandfather used this very sword to cut his own throat!"
Yun Chu looked at the large sword placed on the table. This blade that had severed countless enemy heads was Grandfather's glory, yet in the end...
She continued, "Father had achieved such great merits and should have returned to the capital to receive rewards, but... he was captured and thrown into the dungeon as soon as he entered the capital... Big Brother was the first to be imprisoned and was tortured to death within days. Mother and Sister-in-law couldn't endure the prison conditions and died too... Jiang Ge'er and all the remaining members of the Yun family... were executed by beheading..."
She couldn't go on, lowering her head to conceal the pain in her eyes.
"What about you? What about you?" Yun Silin pressed urgently. "Chu'er, you're a married daughter. Even if something happened to the Yun family, it shouldn't affect you, right?"
Yun Chu raised her head and smiled bitterly. "I am a married daughter, but my surname is Yun. The Xie family, afraid of being implicated, forced me to drink poisoned wine."
Behind her, Yun Ze entered, his face full of disbelief. "So, Chu'er, is this why you and Xie Jingyu haven't been getting along recently?"
No wonder lately, no matter what happened in the Xie family, Chu'er never mentioned it when she returned to the Yun family. He had thought it was because of Concubine He.
But when Ting Yu became a concubine years ago, Chu'er hadn't become distant from the Xie family. So actually, it was this dream that created the rift between Chu'er and the Xie family?
"If you could have such a dream, it shows you worry daily about something happening to the Yun family. That's not surprising, because the Yun family has indeed risen to such a high position that we can't afford the slightest mistake. But—" Yun Ze looked at her, "how could you dream about the Xie family making you drink poisoned wine? Dreams come from daytime thoughts. In daily life, has the Xie family done something excessive to make you fear they would kill you?"
"Big Brother, the focus isn't on the Xie family, but on our Yun family," Yun Chu said. "In over ten years, the Yun family might face complete extermination. What can we do now to prevent such an outcome?"
"Dreams are the opposite of reality, Chu'er. Don't scare yourself," Yun Silin patted her shoulder. "Tell your father what grievances that scoundrel Xie Jingyu has caused you. I'll teach him a lesson for you."
Yun Chu smiled bitterly.
Xie Jingyu's life was almost gone—there was no need for her father to intervene.
She could handle the entire Xie family by herself. But as a married daughter, she couldn't control the path the Yun family would take. That's why she could only discuss it with her father and brother.
But clearly, the three people before her didn't believe her dream at all, instead focusing more on whether she had suffered any grievances in the Xie family."My dreams are not only about the Yun family, but also about events that will happen in the future," Yun Chu began. "I dreamed of the Crown Prince falling seriously ill, and indeed he fell ill. I dreamed of Xie Shi'an becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, which also came true. And I dreamed that Father will soon receive an imperial decree to lead troops to the Southern border region to execute the General of Chariots and Cavalry guarding the southern frontier..."
Old General Yun stared in astonishment.
The Crown Prince had indeed fallen ill recently and remained bedridden, unable to recover.
Xie Shi'an had indeed become the top scholar in the imperial examination, and the Xie family had hosted a banquet to celebrate.
But receiving an order to go to the Southern border region?
To execute the General of Chariots and Cavalry?
This seemed highly unlikely.
Their Yun family had always been stationed at the western frontier. If deployed to the south, the western border would be left vulnerable.
Moreover, the General of Chariots and Cavalry was the Empress Dowager's nephew from her maternal family, a general highly valued by the Emperor. How could anyone be sent to execute him?
"I know none of you believe me," Yun Chu said softly. "Then let's wait and see."
Her serious expression made the three generations of Yun men present equally grave.
Just then, a voice came from the courtyard: "Is General Yun here? The Minister of War has urgent matters to discuss with General Yun."
"Keep what Chu'er just said completely to yourselves," Old General Yun commanded. "We'll speak of this only after the Emperor issues the decree. You may disperse."
Yun Silin walked out and saw Chu Yi, Prince Pingxi. He laughed and punched Chu Yi playfully. "I heard you've wiped out all bandits within a hundred miles of the capital. Impressive, truly impressive."
"No matter how impressive, it cannot compare to General Yun. The title 'Pillar of the Nation Great General' strikes fear into the surrounding minor kingdoms and enhances our nation's prestige." Chu Yi took the punch in stride. "The Minister of War seems quite anxious. General Yun should hurry along."
Yun Silin nodded and quickly strode toward the front courtyard.
As Yun Chu emerged from the old general's courtyard, she saw Chu Yi, who hadn't yet left.
He had probably come directly to the Yun residence from the palace, still wearing his official robes that made him appear imposing. From head to toe, he exuded an aura of cold severity.
Yet when he turned around, Yun Chu was surprised to see the icy chill in his eyes gradually fading.
"Madam Xie."
Chu Yi addressed her.
Though he inwardly recoiled at these three words, he had no choice but to address her as such.
"Your Highness." Yun Chu curtsied slightly. "Does Your Highness have matters to attend to?"
Chu Yi had followed a Yun servant here while helping the Minister of War locate someone. His only remaining task was to return to the banquet and continue drinking.
He replied, "Nothing urgent."
"There's something I'd like to discuss with Your Highness." A smile appeared on Yun Chu's face. "Your Highness, this way please."
She led Chu Yi to a pavilion in the Yun residence. One of Chu Yi's guards stood at the edge of the pavilion, along with two of her maids.
Nearby was the main path through the estate, with numerous servants bustling back and forth. Their conversation here wouldn't be considered improper.
As they sat facing each other, Chu Yi caught that familiar fragrance once more and couldn't help asking, "What scent is Madam Xie wearing?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he felt they were too forward.
Asking such a personal question of a married woman was somewhat inappropriate.
For the first time, he was grateful for his quick thinking as he immediately added, "Changsheng likes you. I thought she might enjoy your choice of fragrance as well."
"I use a jasmine scent my mother created," Yun Chu replied. "Next time, I'll have some sent to Changsheng."Chu Yi frowned almost imperceptibly.
Jasmine fragrance?
There was a hint of it, but more prominent was that familiar, indescribable scent—very faint, very subtle.
When standing close to her, he could detect it quite clearly.
He must have encountered this fragrance before.
When was it?
He couldn't recall.
"Your Highness," Yun Chu interrupted his contemplation, "I wish to discuss a business proposition with you. I wonder if you might be interested."
Chu Yi had little interest in discussing business matters.
Yet for some inexplicable reason, he wanted to hear her speak.
He nodded. "Go on."
Yun Chu explained methodically, "I've purchased an estate in the outskirts of the capital and unexpectedly discovered a hot spring there—larger than the imperial bathing pools. Surrendering it to the royal family would be rather unsatisfying, but keeping it for myself carries numerous risks. Therefore, I'd like to propose sharing both the risks and profits with you. What do you think?"
Chu Yi took a sip of tea. "Why come to me?"
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