Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 852: Chapter 857, 858: Great Wei, Zhenghe Era 2

When Wu Mi learned the Former Empress was still inside, she immediately spoke up, "Wait."

The Palace Maid and eunuchs immediately halted, bending their backs and bowing their heads, standing aside to await orders.

Wu Mi gently held Chen Jia’s little hand, slowly walking inside.

Upon hearing footsteps, Zhao Yushu looked up and gazed at the elegant woman accompanied by a child entering, slightly startled, then furrowed her brows.

Between beauties, there is always an instinctive comparison in their hearts.

Zhao Yushu stared at the woman beneath her beautifully styled hair, whose exquisite and rosy features made her feel a sudden wave of inferiority.

She bowed and greeted, "This wife has met Empress."

From the conversation earlier, she could guess that this elegant woman was Princess Consort Wei, the Empress of today.

Though not yet formally crowned, Zhao Yushu had already addressed her as such.

"You may rise." Wu Mi accepted gracefully and also fixated her gaze on Zhao Yushu, then glanced around and smiled faintly, "You are a Former Empress, noble in status, and older than me. I should be calling you elder sister; there is no need for such politeness.

If sister likes it here and is reluctant to leave, you may continue residing here."

"I dare not, how could this wife bear to be called elder sister by the Empress."

Zhao Yushu bowed again and said, "The Empress jests, I shall leave now."

Speaking, she picked up her packed luggage and moved towards the outer chamber.

"Let me accompany sister." Wu Mi said, signaling to the Palace Maid beside her.

The Palace Maid stepped forward to help Zhao Yushu with her luggage.

Wu Mi accompanied Zhao Yushu out of the Harem, then stopped her footsteps, "The road ahead is long, sister should walk slowly, I will not send you any further."

Zhao Yushu nodded, looked at the red high walls of the palace courtyard, and a trace of reluctance and sorrow appeared on her face. She wiped her eye corners, then turned and left without looking back.

She had learned from Wu Mi’s words where to find Chu Yi.

...

At the Canal Wharf at the east end of the city, Geng Songfu stood in for Chen Mo to meet Chu Yi for the last time.

Chu Yi had long changed out of his Emperor’s Robe and diadem, now wearing plain attire, with Wu Xian standing beside him.

Unburdened, Chu Yi seemed much more relaxed, hands behind his back, a smile appearing as he saw Geng Songfu approach.

"Greetings, Duke Menghe." Geng Songfu bowed to Chu Yi.

"Geng Songfu, what brings you here?" Having relinquished the throne, Chu Yi was much more open-minded, and his courage had grown, calling Geng Songfu by name.

"The Emperor of Great Wei cherishes the connection of the last generation’s uncle and nephew and has specifically sent me to bid farewell to Duke Menghe and his wife." Geng Songfu clapped his hands, and an attendant brought over a jar of wine and two cups. Geng Songfu personally poured wine into the cups, handing one to Chu Yi.

Chu Yi’s expression turned solemn.

Wu Xian’s expression changed slightly, and she said, "My husband acted precisely as promised to them; are they still unsatisfied, wishing for total extermination?"

Wu Xian suspected the wine was tainted.

"Rest assured, madam, the Emperor of Great Wei is a righteous ruler, straightforward and honest. Since he agreed to let Duke Menghe leave, he naturally would not resort to underhanded actions. The Emperor sent me truly just to bid farewell to Duke Menghe." Geng Songfu said.

Wu Xian still did not believe.

But Chu Yi took the cup and drank it in one gulp.

"Husband." Wu Xian’s expression turned anxious.

"No harm, I trust the Emperor of Great Wei." Chu Yi smiled.

After the farewell, those accompanying Chu Yi almost all gathered.

Geng Songfu finally conveyed Chen Mo’s directive.

"As long as Duke Menghe never returns to the Capital City, he can ensure wealth and honor for a lifetime."

Before Chu Yi could speak, Wu Xian couldn’t help but say, "Do you, Geng Songfu, believe this nonsense?"

"I do." Geng Songfu replied resolutely, "The Emperor of Great Wei is a benevolent and wise ruler. Please be assured, Duke Menghe, I can guarantee it with my life."

Chu Yi smiled slightly, gazing far away at the majestic Palace City, "Farewell forever."

"Please, Duke Menghe." Geng Songfu bowed.

Chu Yi withdrew his gaze, turned around to step toward the ship, Wu Xian quickly hurried forward to assist.

Geng Songfu watched Chu Yi’s departing back silently.

Just as the ship accepted its mooring ropes, ready to depart.

"Wait..."

A clear female voice resonated from the end of the street behind Geng Songfu; Zhao Yushu, in a palace skirt carrying her luggage, with one hand lifting the broad, trailing hem of the skirt, ran towards the wharf.

About to enter the ship’s cabin, Chu Yi’s steps slightly paused, his body involuntarily shivering.

Wu Xian keenly felt Chu Yi’s agitation, her heart aching, she said, "Husband, I understand it all, I... don’t mind, now that you have abdicated, there’s no need to continue like this, bring sister aboard."

Wu Xian thought, like Zhao Yushu, that Chu Yi was cold towards Zhao Yushu because of her.

However, the actual reason was quite different.

Chu Yi dared not entirely believe Wu Xian’s words were true, after all, Zhao Yushu had betrayed her, would Wu Xian, a Wu Family Girl, remain loyal to him? He said, "Between her and me, conjugal ties are over, and I have divorced her, from now on, she and I are merely strangers."

Chu Yi instructed the attendants beside him, "Set sail."

"Yes."

...

"Wait."

"No."

Seeing the ship had already set off from the wharf, Zhao Yushu’s eyes were red, her heart was breaking; she raised her hand to wipe her eye corners, lifting her skirt as she hurried her pace.

However, she was still late.

When she arrived, the ship had sailed far away, Zhao Yushu watching it move farther away, without the slightest sign of stopping to wait for her, collapsed and sat in despair.

Her tears, like beans, pattered down, drop after drop on the cobblestone pavement, her face full of sorrow, her spirit darkened.

The last shred of hope was gone as well.

In the end, it was all just her imagination.

Chu Yi truly didn’t want her anymore.

"Why, why did you do this to me, why?" Zhao Yushu cried wretchedly, shouting until she became hysterical toward the ship disappearing over the horizon, she didn’t know what she had done wrong to make Chu Yi so detest her.

Geng Songfu watched from the side, adept at handling affairs, yet utterly helpless in this matter.

Moreover, regarding Chu Yi and Zhao Yushu’s matters, he was equally confused.

Staring at the shimmering water surface, Zhao Yushu’s eyes turned empty and lifeless, a determination to die rose again within her.

She stood up and, under Geng Songfu’s startled gaze, jumped directly into the river.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Geng Songfu exclaimed, "Why are you all standing there idly? Save her, save her quickly."

Zhao Yushu was rescued swiftly, merely unconscious, not much harmed otherwise.

Geng Songfu turned and walked to the end of the street on the left, where a luxurious carriage was parked at the corner, surrounded by equipped, stern-faced Armored Warriors.

He knocked on the carriage, and the curtain of the window was soon lifted.

"Your Majesty, Duke Menghe has departed." Geng Songfu said respectfully.

"Understood."

Chen Mo, having sent Geng Songfu for the farewell, wasn’t far from the wharf, observing.

Then Geng Songfu conveyed the matter concerning Zhao Yushu.

Chen Mo furrowed his brows, muttering quietly, "Seems they’re not acting before me; they truly ended."

Geng Songfu heard Chen Mo’s murmur and asked, "Your Majesty, how should she be dealt with?"

"Take her into the palace first..." Chen Mo’s words paused, with Geng Songfu’s eyes flickering, then said, "Then have her parents come to take her."

"Yes."

Initially Geng Songfu was confused, now even he suspected Zhao Yushu’s situation was orchestrated by Chen Mo.

But such events aren’t particularly surprising; when Song Taizu declared himself Emperor, he admitted some former concubines into his Harem.

Compared to the monumental achievements established by Song Taizu, such personal matters are trivial.

The current Chen Mo is the same.

"Your Majesty, traditionally, whether through dynastic change or a new ruler’s accession, it entails a general pardon; when should Great Wei’s edict of pardon be issued?"