Through the System, Cui Shu Ruo knew that Wei Cheng Huai had already been persuaded, but his outward demeanor remained half-believing and half-doubting, without directly stating his stance.
His gaze was sharp and penetrating, clearly indicating he was making a decision.
A commander on the battlefield fears indecisiveness most; any capable general must be resolute and decisive in action.
Finally, gritting his teeth, he looked at Cui Shu Ruo and made his decision, “You come with me to Youzhou to report the truth to my father.”
Cui Shu Ruo, however, was not entirely satisfied. She said, “My health is poor. Even if I can endure the journey, I would ultimately be a burden. If a crucial opportunity is missed because of me, even death would not redeem my fault.”
Wei Cheng Huai had already considered this point. “Do not worry. I will dispatch a messenger to deliver the letter swiftly to my father by horseback. Our going will not delay the timing.
But if you are lying…”
He did not finish his sentence, yet the sharpness in his eyes was unmistakable, and anyone could grasp the underlying implication. If she were deliberately lying, it would be hard not to suspect her motives, and naturally, there would be no favorable outcome.
Regardless of whether Cui Shu Ruo’s words were true or false, at this moment they could only be true, and she must maintain a firm and righteous stance.
Moreover, what she said was indeed the truth.
Thus, Cui Shu Ruo would not falter now. Instead, she declared, “Since I awoke, my thoughts have been muddled, yet this matter alone remains firmly etched in my mind. If it truly is my own conjecture and investigation proves it false, whether you exile me or execute me, but if it is true?
To gamble my own life, honor, and disgrace for the eternal stability of the Han dynasty’s realm, to exchange for the well-being of tens of thousands of common people—it is worth it!” She raised her head high!
Although unclear about Cui Shu Ruo’s origins, as a frail woman, she could speak such impassioned and insightful words, enough to repeatedly alter Wei Cheng Huai’s impression of her.
Even if all were falsehoods, her ability to utter them demonstrated a breadth of vision and understanding uncommon among ordinary people.
Upon hearing this, Wei Cheng Huai, whose attitude had turned stern after learning of this news, now showed admiration and respect in his eyes. His towering and robust figure actually bowed steadily toward her.
He did not belittle her because she was a woman, nor could he readily trust her due to the circumstances, so he expressed his stance through action.
After rising, he added, “If everything the lady says is true, I will accept any punishment or beating in the future. But for now, I must first offend you. Unless necessary, please do not leave this place. Within the residence, there will be servants and maids accompanying you.”
Cui Shu Ruo deeply understood the principles of speech and conduct: when righteousness is required, hesitation must be avoided, yet when yielding is appropriate, stubbornness is unnecessary.
She lowered her brows and nodded, appearing completely different from before. “Of course.”
Wei Cheng Huai glanced at the side table originally intended as decoration. Due to the servants’ attentiveness, writing materials had been placed on it, though not particularly valuable, likely hastily procured.
Avoiding Cui Shu Ruo’s gaze, Wei Cheng Huai cupped his hands and said, “I apologize for the impropriety.”
Then he walked to the side table, grinding ink himself to write the letter.
The doors and windows inside the room were wide open. Earlier, he stood before the threshold; even alone, he was open and upright, visible to passing servants. However, the side table was placed inside the screen, more private. Both being within it together was somewhat improper according to etiquette.
Hence, he later apologized again to Cui Shu Ruo for the impropriety.
Vigorous in spirit, free and unrestrained in demeanor, yet his words and actions followed propriety, not relying on power to act wildly or recklessly. Watching Wei Cheng Huai wield his brush with ease, Cui Shu Ruo gradually grasped an understanding of his character.
However, this was not yet the most important matter.
Cui Shuruo looked at the pitifully short lifespan displayed in her mind and calmly thought, He is a figure destined for the history books. Staying close to him will make earning Merit Points much more convenient.
Despite these thoughts, it didn’t stop her from casually exchanging for more lifespan in her mind.
"System, I have 503 Merit Points. Use 200 of them to exchange for twenty days of lifespan."
【Darling, are you sure you only want to exchange for twenty days of lifespan for now?】
"Hmm," Cui Shuruo responded indifferently in her mind.
Faced with her current aloofness, even if the System had a heart that was always restless and full of colorful ideas, there was nothing it could do. It had no choice but to change its approach.
【Wuwuwu, darling, you’re so cold. System’s heart is hurt ╥﹏╥】
【But System is the best system in the Main System! System will cheer up and become darling’s favorite companion!】
【The exchange has been completed~】
Cui Shuruo ignored the System’s attempts at being cute and affectionate. Instead, she asked about the exchange rate for Merit Points and the cost of using the Crow's Mouth ability.
Meanwhile, after Wei Chenghuai finished writing the letter, he handed it to a messenger to be urgently delivered to Youzhou.
After lifting the siege of Suizhou, he didn’t immediately return to Youzhou but instead came to Qunan.
Qunan was nominally under the jurisdiction of the Dingbei Wangfu, but the relationship between the prefect of Qunan and Youzhou was delicate, making it a situation in name only.
The siege of Suizhou had been far too suspicious, and since Qunan happened to be the closest to Suizhou, it was hard for the Dingbei Wang not to suspect that the prefect of Qunan was secretly colluding with the Hu people.
Therefore, after Wei Chenghuai lifted the siege of Suizhou, he was ordered to stay in Qunan under the pretext of resting and recuperating, while actually investigating whether the prefect of Qunan was up to anything suspicious.
After all, Prefect Li’s faction had been entrenched in Qunan for a long time, with deep-rooted and complex influence, making it difficult to intervene. Now was a rare opportunity to do so openly. Even if Prefect Li wasn’t colluding with the Hu people, it would still be good to humble him a bit and issue a warning, making it clear who held the real authority between Youzhou and Qunan.
So, the place Cui Shuruo was currently staying in was merely a villa owned by the Dingbei Wangfu in Qunan. Usually, it was only managed and maintained by a group of servants, which was precisely why Steward Hu had become so arrogant and domineering. With no master around, he had essentially become the second master.
The former information was vaguely mentioned by Wei Chenghuai, which Cui Shuruo deduced on her own, while the latter was learned from the maid Yan Rong.
Seeing that Wei Chenghuai had already begun urging his subordinates to pack their belongings, Cui Shuruo couldn’t help but ask, "Are we leaving Qunan in such a hurry?"
Wei Chenghuai gave her a surprised look. "Who said we’re leaving now?"
Cui Shuruo pointed outside at the servants hastily packing their belongings as her answer.
Standing in the doorway, bathed in light, Wei Chenghuai appeared upright and tall, his expression puzzled. "You’ve misunderstood. Before returning to Youzhou, I need to pay a visit to Prefect Li of Qunan. I’ve heard he’s seriously ill and unable to leave his residence.
As for the packing…"
Wei Chenghuai chuckled, winking at Cui Shuruo with a somewhat mischievous, carefree air of a young man.
Cui Shuruo, however, grasped the deeper meaning behind it. Packing and pretending to depart was a feint, meant to make others think that he, the Shìzǐ, was easy to deceive—no match for their cunning schemes—and that he had already taken Prefect Li’s illness at face value.
Cui Shuruo found herself increasingly unable to figure out Wei Chenghuai as a person.
But she was certain of one thing: if that Prefect Li truly thought Wei Chenghuai was an easy-to-fool young upstart, he was in for a rude awakening.
The lives and deaths of others were irrelevant to Cui Shu Ruo. She felt a brief pang of pity for Prefect Li, then quickly returned to her usual state, turning her attention instead to another matter.
"Shìzǐ Wei, I…" Cui Shu Ruo hesitated before asking, "I don't know if I hit my head or if it was due to the earlier fright, but I've forgotten most of my past, including who my family members are and whether I have siblings.
Perhaps this is troubling for you, but I still wish to ask…"
Before Cui Shu Ruo could finish her hesitant plea, Wei Cheng Huai, understanding her thoughts, interrupted first: "I know what you mean. I will help you find your family, but Suizhou is besieged, and many nobles learned of the news early and fled the city hastily. I don't know if your family is among them, but Suizhou's order remains unclear for now. Moreover, you can't recall your family's names, so it might take some time to find them.
I've already left people in Suizhou. They will inform you as soon as there's any news."
Cui Shu Ruo sighed with worry, seeming deeply concerned about her family.
In reality, she hoped instead that the original owner's family wouldn't be found. Based on the conversation she overheard while still dazed and not fully conscious, it seemed the original owner's life was likely unpleasant. If she were truly found and returned, that might become a real headache. Moreover, it would be difficult to explain why she knew the Hu people would attack Luoyang.
But one must play the role fully. How could a seemingly delicate young noblewoman, having lost most of her memory, not yearn for her family?
Fortunately, according to the words of the woman who abandoned her, they had already fled for safety. Coupled with the frequent warfare now, searching for relatives was like fishing for needles in the sea, so Cui Shu Ruo wasn't too worried.
Seeing her expression, Wei Cheng Huai couldn't help but offer comfort, "Alright, don't dwell on it too much. Judging by the luxurious fabric of the dress you wore yesterday, you should also be a young noblewoman. Finding your relatives should be somewhat easier.
Even if they truly cannot be found, as long as what you said earlier is true, and you succeed in thwarting the Hu people's plans, it will be a great achievement, and you will surely be rewarded.
Even if the court remains inactive, my father is fair in rewards and punishments and will certainly not treat you poorly. You could even stay at Dingbei Wangfu for a lifetime."
Cui Shu Ruo seemed comforted, her brows still carrying a trace of sorrow, but she nodded with a faint smile.
Wei Cheng Huai didn't disturb her further; he had many matters to handle.
But Cui Shu Ruo didn't have peace for long. The door was lightly knocked, and Steward Hu stood bowing and scraping on the stone slab outside, waiting for her.
Steward Hu reported that someone outside wished to see her.
Cui Shu Ruo was genuinely puzzled this time. She had merely been rescued by Wei Cheng Huai and brought to the Qunan villa to recuperate. Logically, no one should know her. Who would seek to see her?
"Do you know who it is?" Cui Shu Ruo, still somewhat unaccustomed to kneeling on the mat, subtly shifted her feet before asking Steward Hu.
The more Cui Shu Ruo acted with authority, the more respectful Steward Hu became. He bent his waist even further, offering a flattering smile, "Reply to young noblewoman Cui, I'm not quite sure either. The visitor only said you would know upon seeing them. Perhaps they heard you came with the Shìzǐ and specifically came to curry favor."
Cui Shu Ruo found it amusing; it seemed Steward Hu had misunderstood her relationship with the Shìzǐ.
But Wei Cheng Huai had told her earlier: she could not leave the estate, and within the estate, she must always have servants and maids accompanying her. Even though he was open-minded, he couldn't possibly forget this instruction immediately. He only ordered people to accompany her, not forbidding those below from allowing her to leave the estate.
Either Steward Hu was still unaware of the latter part of the situation, or Wei Cheng Huai did not prevent people from coming to see her, also intending to use her as bait.
Cui Shu Ruo smiled unhurriedly and probed, "Have you asked the Shìzǐ?"
The sun outside was strong, and since Cui Shu Ruo did not invite Steward Hu inside to reply, he could only stand under the corridor, not daring to move elsewhere, sweating profusely from the heat.
Even so, there was not a trace of dissatisfaction on his face. Instead, he replied with a full smile, "Is the young noblewoman afraid the Shìzǐ might be displeased? It's fine. This servant sent someone to ask, and the Shìzǐ said it was no problem.
If this servant may say, the Shìzǐ truly cares for the young noblewoman. He fears the chaos outside might disturb you, which is why he wishes for you to stay in the residence for now and rest quietly."
Cui Shu Ruo paid no attention to the flattering words that followed, but she understood clearly that it was likely the latter scenario—she had become the bait.
Ah, she shook her head. Better to avoid trouble than invite it. She said directly, "I won't see them."
"Huh?" Steward Hu, who was still in the midst of lavishing praise on Cui Shu Ruo, didn't react in time.
Cui Shu Ruo smiled and repeated, "I won't see them."
Her smile was gentle, her eyes curved, but her tone left no room for refusal.
Steward Hu wiped his sweat, not daring to question her, and could only retreat dejectedly to decline the visitor.
The maids helping Cui Shu Ruo brew tea nearby had never seen Steward Hu in such a sorry state before, and they all widened their eyes in surprise. They had all come to serve Cui Shu Ruo after Wei Cheng Huai left. Being newcomers, they inadvertently made Yan Rong appear closer to her.
At least Yan Rong had come to care for her earlier, and she had even helped stand up for her.
Noticing Cui Shu Ruo's gaze turning toward them, even though Cui Shu Ruo hadn't done anything, they all fell silent in fear. Only Yan Rong remained somewhat composed.
A hint of helplessness showed between Cui Shu Ruo's brows. She hadn't meant to frighten anyone.
She picked up the brewed tea and took a sip. Her jade-like, translucent face actually flushed, and she coughed a few times.
Not because it tasted good, but because it was terrible.
Whose tea tasted of scallions, ginger, and garlic, salty and pungent?
Thus, seven or eight beautiful maids surrounded her, fussing over her—some patting her back, others helping her catch her breath.
Having already added to her lifespan, Cui Shu Ruo no longer felt the all-over pain that had once made it impossible to even straighten her fingers. Now, surrounded and attentively cared for by a crowd of maids like stars around the moon, the feeling was entirely different.
She couldn't help but sigh in admiration—the ancient nobility truly lived freely and comfortably.
What Cui Shu Ruo didn't expect was that Steward Hu would return.
This time, his expression had shifted from fawning and ingratiating to fearful and timid, yet he had no choice but to speak.
"Young Noblewoman Cui, you really should meet the visitor."
Before Cui Shu Ruo could say anything, Steward Hu, as if facing certain death, hurriedly blurted out the rest, "The visitor is the daughter of Prefect Li."