Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 136: Don’t Resort to Weapons

Three generations of the Yun family fell into silence.

They had long worried about arousing the Emperor’s suspicion due to their outstanding achievements and had begun to restrain their prominence years ago. Yet even so, over a decade later, they would still meet the fate of execution and the extermination of their entire clan.

Throughout thousands of years of history, countless great generals had met their end under the blades of the very rulers they had faithfully served, after achieving fame and success.

Reading about those unjustly slain generals in historical records, they couldn’t help but sigh. But now they had learned that one day in the future, such a tragedy would befall the Yun family.

To die on the battlefield was a worthy death.

But who could accept being falsely accused of treason and colluding with the enemy, leading to the execution of over a hundred members of their family?

"Since we’ve confirmed that what Chu’er saw in her dream will eventually come to pass, our Yun family cannot sit idly by and wait for death," Yun Ze said slowly. "Father, why don’t we return our military power and resign from military service to return to our farm?"

As long as they held significant military authority, there would inevitably come a day when the Emperor would grow wary of their achievements. If that was the case, wouldn’t surrendering their military power prevent the future from unfolding as foreseen?

"I’m afraid the Emperor won’t agree," Yun Silin shook his head. "Before there is someone capable of taking my place, the Emperor will never allow the Yun family to resign and return to farming. Moreover, the border states are constantly testing our defenses. If I were to abandon my responsibilities now, countless common people would suffer…"

Yun Chu smiled bitterly.

Indeed, while the Yun family still held value, how could the Emperor let them go?

But once the Yun family lost their usefulness, many matters would no longer be within their control.

Moving forward was difficult, and taking a step back was no easier.

The Yun family had been placed in such a position—outwardly flourishing, but beneath the surface, a blazing fire pit tormented every member of the family.

"Our Yun family has served in the military for generations. So many of our men have died on the battlefield, and in the end, even our women and children were executed. This pains my heart deeply!" Old General Yun said coldly. "If relinquishing power is not an option, then we must choose a worthy leader to support… Our Yun family has always been loyal only to the Emperor, but now we are forced to get involved in the struggle for the throne." Since the Eighth Prince shares our bloodline, then…"

"The Eighth Prince is too pure and kind-hearted," Yun Ze shook his head. "Our aunt also has no intention of contending for the throne. Why drag them into this?"

Yun Silin looked at Yun Chu. "In your dream, did you see who ultimately became Emperor?"

Yun Chu thought for a moment before replying, "In the dream, the Fourth Prince died, the Fifth Prince was crippled, the Sixth Prince was exiled, the Seventh Prince supported the Second Prince, and the Eighth Prince died… The Crown Prince position in the Eastern Palace was precarious, and the Third Prince was also suspected of treason… As for who ultimately ascended the throne, it’s hard to say, especially since the younger princes were gradually growing up."

The expressions of the group turned grave.

If they were to support a prince, they had to choose carefully. One misstep, and they could lose everything, just as in Chu’er’s dream.

"We still have over ten years before disaster strikes the Yun family. Why are all of you looking so grim?" Old General Yun snorted. "Keep this matter to yourselves. Don’t let it show on your faces and make the women and children in the family anxious. We still have time to think about what to do. With an old ginger like me here, rest assured, our Yun family will not meet its end so easily.""Let's prepare for both possibilities," Yun Silin began. "I'll quickly train someone to take my place. Yun Ze, you should privately approach several princes—any of them—and test the waters. We'll choose the most suitable one."

Yun Ze nodded. "Don't worry, Father. I'll handle this matter."

Yun Chu paused before speaking. "So, Father, you still need to go to the Southern border region, right?"

She picked up a brush and paper from the desk, writing as she spoke. "This journey to the Southern border is extremely dangerous. After you depart with your men in September, we'll lose contact within two months. When you return to the capital, two years will have passed... Many things happened during those two years..."

The Yun family men never discussed court or battlefield matters with women. That's why her mother and sister-in-law weren't present at such an important moment. She could only participate in the family's decision-making because of those dreams she had...

She knew about her father's ordeal in the Southern border because one day when he was drunk, he had intermittently recounted what happened during those two years.

"Father, you must remember a woman named Qiu Xiang." Yun Chu pressed her lips together and wrote the name Qiu Xiang on paper. "This woman was someone you casually rescued on the road. She clung to you afterward, eventually taking advantage of your vulnerability to become your concubine. It was because of this woman that you were lured into Southern Yue and imprisoned by the King of Southern Yue..."

Before Yun Chu could finish, Old General Yun raised his hand and slapped the back of Yun Silin's head. "You still have the mind to take concubines? What nonsense is this?"

Yun Silin, who commanded such authority before three hundred thousand troops, now covered the back of his head with a wronged expression.

Something that hadn't happened yet, and might never happen in the future—why was he getting slapped for it...

Yun Chu felt no sympathy for her father at all.

As a junior, she wouldn't comment on elders taking concubines. But after returning to the capital, her father never told her mother about this. From beginning to end, her mother never knew how miserably her father had been deceived by that woman...

"Chu'er, let's keep this matter among ourselves. Don't tell your mother." Yun Silin said awkwardly. "I promise you, if that woman Qiu-whatever-Xiang from your dreams appears, I'll kill her!"

Yun Ze remarked quietly, "Chu'er only mentioned it once, yet Father remembered the woman's name is Qiu Xiang."

Yun Silin: "..."

Can we have a proper conversation here?

The family talked for about two hours before finally covering everything that needed to be said.

After finishing their serious discussion, Yun Chu took a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Yun Silin. "Father, please place this letter in Marquis Liu's study."

Yun Silin frowned. "How are you involved with Marquis Liu?"

Marquis Liu was the Grand Princess's husband. After becoming a royal son-in-law, he looked down on many people, relying on his status as the emperor's son-in-law, and had an extremely poor reputation.

"This is a letter I forged in Marquis Xuanwu's handwriting." Yun Chu said calmly. "To be honest with you both, Marquis Xuanwu once humiliated me. With this move, I intend to make the Marquis Xuanwu residence disappear from the capital."

The three Yun men looked at her in shock.

Chu'er had always been tolerant and generous. Even when insolent servants offended her, she never held grudges. When some noble young ladies in the capital gossiped behind her back, saying she didn't deserve the title of the capital's number one beauty, Chu'er would simply laugh it off.

But now, Chu'er wanted to eliminate the Marquis Xuanwu residence.

What exactly had Marquis Xuanwu done to make Chu'er resort to such extreme measures?Humiliation, what kind of humiliation...

Three grown men didn't know how to ask, nor dared to ask.

"Chu'er, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Yun Ze took a deep breath and spoke, "Although I'm only a seventh-rank official, remember that I am the legitimate eldest son of the Yun family. Even if Father hasn't returned to the capital, I have the capability to deal with Marquis Xuanwu's residence."

"I'll chop him down!" Old General Yun rose from the couch, grabbing his long blade. "That scoundrel is called Qin Mingheng, isn't he? He's simply tired of living!"

"Grandfather, please lie down and rest properly." Yun Chu took the long blade from the old man's hands. "Something that can be resolved with just a letter—why resort to swords and spears? Don't bring bad luck upon yourself."

In her previous life, the incident of Marquis Liu's debauchery in the palace was about to be exposed soon. Let Marquis Xuanwu's residence disappear along with it.