It was all of Yan Hui’s past in Yunzhou, not Bianjing.
Because in Bianjing, the deeds of Yan Hui and her brother could be traced—just a little inquiry would make things clear. Only in Yunzhou, before the downfall of Yan Yi and his wife, did Yan Hui’s past remain a mystery.
From what Li Suyu had learned so far, Yan Hui was not a short-sighted boudoir woman. To be able to speak as she had, she must have understood the northern frontier thoroughly.
In Li Suyu’s deep eyes, a stern aura lurked. At present, the entire northern army lived in hardship each year under the Emperor’s suppression.
When the late emperor was alive, he had supported the Li family, honoring their bloodline that had died on the battlefield. But after his death, the new emperor sought to suppress the Li family, coveting their military power.
Li Suyu feared that if they did not respond in time, the Emperor would seize the chance to strip the Li family of its position in the north. This was his greatest worry.
Winter had already arrived—the time when supplies ran short—years of war had drained the Li family. They truly could not withstand any more turmoil.
This winter, who knew what awaited the northern frontier? Judging by past years, once the people starved, refugees would appear in droves, and then trouble would surely follow.
Reporting to the court was useless. Perhaps the Emperor was waiting for the north to collapse.
The deeper he thought, the more the sternness in Li Suyu’s eyes turned into murderous intent. Whoever dared touch the foundation the Li family had built with countless lives—he would kill them!
Even if it meant bearing the name of a traitor, he would not hesitate!
“Second Brother, going to Yunzhou back and forth might mean you won’t return to Yuncheng until after the New Year,” Zhao Chi said worriedly. “It’s already winter, and you’re gravely wounded. Every winter brings many troubles. If I go to Yuncheng, you’ll have no one by your side. How can you manage alone? Why not send Xiao Song to Yunzhou instead?”
Li Suyu’s brows tightened. “No. Only if you go will I be at ease.”
“Then… should we recall Jiang Xiao from beyond the pass?” Zhao Chi suggested, then gave an awkward smile.
Li Suyu rose. “You leave tomorrow. Make arrangements in the army. Be careful on the road.”
Seeing that his brother did not mention Jiang Xiao at all, Zhao Chi knew he was still angry. He sighed. “Then I’ll return to camp now. Second Brother, you must take care of your wounds.”
He turned to leave, but after two steps stopped and looked back. “Second Brother, you should spend time with Sister-in-law.”
A strange light flickered in Li Suyu’s eyes. His gaze shifted to the neatly folded snow-white fox fur cloak. He gave no reply.
Zhao Chi saw this and chuckled awkwardly. “Then I’ll take my leave.”
Only after Zhao Chi departed did Li Suyu walk toward the couch. He had barely taken a few steps when a knock sounded at the door. He turned his gaze and saw Yan Hui standing there, dressed in a deep purple cloak, holding medicine. His eyes deepened. Other than the first time he met her and their wedding day, she seemed especially fond of purple. Though it was an older, more somber color, on Yan Hui it appeared dignified.
“I saw General Zhao leave, so I knew you were free. It’s time to change the medicine,” Yan Hui said, walking straight in.
Only then did Li Suyu realize that, since the medicine had been applied yesterday, the wound had hurt less. He watched Yan Hui place the items on the desk, then sit down before him. Just like last night, the distance between them seemed to shrink. At least, being together no longer felt awkward.
Yan Hui, just as she had the previous night, helped the man remove his outer robe and inner garment, discarded the old plaster, and carefully applied the fresh medicine she had prepared, bit by bit, to the healing wound.
Li Suyu watched her serious face. “I heard you gave fox-fur cloaks to all the young ladies in the residence?”
Yan Hui’s expression was calm and focused, though her eyes carried a faint smile. “They’re just little trinkets to ward off the cold. I gave them as gifts, as a sister-in-law should.”
“And your white jade bracelet?” Li Suyu’s gaze fell on her bare wrist, his brows tightening.
Yan Hui’s hand faltered for a moment, then continued. Her voice was even: “I gave it to Qingqing.”
Li Suyu’s brows rose higher. He remembered rushing back to the city that day, meeting Yan Hui at the tavern, and noticing the white jade bracelet on her wrist—a priceless piece. And she had given it to Li Qingqing?
When Yan Hui finished, Li Suyu lifted his hand to fasten his inner garment, but her slender fingers reached toward it first. His eyes darkened, his gaze falling on her face. There was no joy, no displeasure—only the sense that she was doing what was expected, as if it were her duty.
“You’ve spent too much,” he said.
Yan Hui’s phoenix eyes curved with a smile. “Didn’t the General say husband and wife are of one heart? If I spend, then you spend too.”
Her playful tone warmed even his chest.
Yan Hui’s lips curved as she tidied up. “General, you’re keeping Chu Yan in the army?”
“Why not?” Li Suyu truly wanted to know why Yan Hui was so wary of Chu Yan. From the time he had known him, Chu Yan had indeed been a friend.
But hearing his tone, Yan Hui’s smile faded slightly. “No reason. Just asking.”
Li Suyu’s lips moved faintly, but before he could speak, she bowed lightly and walked toward the door.
“Yan Hui,” he called her name.
She stopped, turned back.
“Nothing.”
Yan Hui looked at the man, his robe and inner garment loosely draped yet still strikingly handsome. She frowned and nodded. “I won’t disturb the General further.”
When her footsteps faded, Li Suyu’s long fingers brushed the sash she had just touched. He lowered his gaze. *This woman… truly…*
By late afternoon, Jiang Yun returned to the Li residence. In Xianyun Courtyard, though she did not utter a word of complaint, everything she said carried one. She had only learned that Li Suyu had returned to the city the previous night when she went to his camp that morning. He had brought back the young madam whom the old madam disliked.
The old madam still favored Jiang Yun—otherwise, she would not have kept her close all these years.
“Suyu has always been like this. Last night, he brought Yan Hui back only because her health was poor. Don’t hold it against him. He’s a man, careless, not thinking of your feelings—that’s only natural,” the old madam said calmly.
Jiang Yun lowered her eyes, her voice choked: “I know. It’s just… Suyu is wounded, yet he still cares for the young madam’s health. Grandmother, I fear your wishes will come to nothing.”
Her meaning was clear: Li Suyu’s heart was with Yan Hui. Even if she were forced to marry him, it would be useless.
“Yan Hui is not some shameful woman. It’s no surprise Suyu gives her some attention. Besides, they’ve only just married—it’s natural there’s a sense of novelty,” the old madam said evenly.
Jiang Yun was startled. How had it been only a short time, and yet the old matriarch no longer seemed as guarded against Yan Hui?
“Grandmother,” Jiang Yun called, her eyes widening slightly.
The old madam waved her hand, signaling the maids in the room to withdraw.
Nanny Yuan immediately said: “All of you, leave.”
The old madam sighed softly. “Ah Yun, I know you’ve waited for Suyu all these years. Things have developed into this situation—no one can stop it. I’ve discussed with the second branch, and before the year’s end, we’ll choose an auspicious day to bring you into the household.”
At these words, Jiang Yun’s eyes lit up faintly.
“But I do not want Suyu’s household to be in turmoil. As long as Yan Hui does not provoke you, you must not put on any act of competing for favor. If I discover you harbor improper thoughts, don’t blame me for disregarding your parents’ face.” The old madam laid down her harsh words first.
Jiang Yun blushed and replied softly: “I understand.”
“You must be tired from traveling. Go back and rest well,” the old madam dismissed her.
Jiang Yun rose, bowed, and left the main hall.
“Madam, rest assured. The second young master knows your intentions and will follow your arrangements,” Nanny Yuan said from the side.
The old madam stood. “Let’s go see that rascal.”
Yi Garden.
Words of respect echoed into Yan Hui’s ears. She quickly closed the account book in her hands, pressed another volume over it, and rose to walk toward the outer hall.
The old madam glanced around the courtyard, seeing nothing unusual. “Everyone, back to your duties,” she said.
The maids bowed respectfully and dispersed.
Nanny Yuan supported the old matriarch toward the main hall, just as Li Suyu emerged from the study, his face still pale.
“Grandmother,” Li Suyu greeted faintly.
The old madam looked at the weariness between his brows and said with concern: “All this coming and going—what good does it do for your wounds?”
Yan Hui, just stepping out of the main hall, heard these words. She raised her brows slightly and bowed. “Grandmother.”
The old madam’s gaze lingered on Yan Hui for a moment, then she said: “I have something to discuss with you both.”
Inside the main hall, the old madam sat firmly in the chief seat. She noticed subtle changes in the room—items that did not belong to the Li family, yet were of the finest quality. She thought of the gold melon seeds Yan Hui had gifted Nanny Yuan and the priceless fox fur cloaks. Yan Hui did not seem like someone living under another’s roof.
Li Suyu sat coldly on a pearwood chair, Yan Hui beside him.
“I’ve discussed with your second aunt. We plan to set a date before the year’s end to bring Jiang Yun into the household, and also to select a few concubines for you.” The old madam’s voice grew heavier as she looked at Li Suyu’s expression. “Do not defy me, this old woman. The Li family urgently needs heirs.”
Her gaze then swept to Yan Hui’s face. Seeing no displeasure there, she added sternly: “Madam Yan, you have no objection, do you?”
Yan Hui smiled lightly and replied: “As I said before, Grandmother and Second Aunt may decide. I have no objection.”
Li Suyu’s brows furrowed. This woman never seemed to tire—always putting on an act. He could not tell which of her words were true and which were false. Perhaps only that one night of solemn, earnest conversation had been genuine. The rest was all pretense.
A hypocritical woman indeed.
“Since Madam Yan has no objections, Suyu, you needn’t say anything more.” The old madam’s gaze fell on Li Suyu. “Jiang Yun has waited all these years—you should give her an explanation. I will decide this matter. It is also a way to repay her parents’ kindness to our Li family.”
Li Suyu lowered his eyes and said coldly: “An explanation? Did I ask her to wait for me all these years?”
The old madam, seeing his defiance, quickly snapped: “Silence! Do you want her parents in the afterlife to think the descendants of the Li family are so heartless and ungrateful?”
Yan Hui, seeing that the old madam and Li Suyu were about to quarrel, immediately rose and said softly: “Grandmother, I’ll go look for my maid—she hasn’t returned yet.”
She had no wish to be involved.
“Sit down!” Li Suyu’s voice carried a cold command. He turned back to the old madam: “Grandmother, do you truly not know that the woman my elder brother loved was Jiang Yun? Do you know why he died in the desert? Wasn’t it because, for Jiang Yun’s birthday, he wanted to gift her the wolf fang of the Wolf King, and was ambushed by the barbarians?”
Yan Hui’s heart jolted, and she sat back down.
Seeing her sit, Li Suyu’s anger eased somewhat. “Grandmother, put this thought aside. I do not wish to defy you in anything.”
But the old madam’s pupils trembled faintly, her hands shaking. “You… you mean this is true?”
Li Suyu nodded. He had hidden this from everyone in the household. The only reason Jiang Yun remained in the residence was because of his brother’s dying wish.
That day, when he reached the desert, his elder brother was covered in blood, clinging to life, still thinking of Jiang Yun. When Li Suyu delivered the wolf fang, stained with his brother’s blood, to Jiang Yun, he had not missed the look of disgust in her eyes. If not for his brother’s last request, he might have killed her then and there. Afterward, he grew even more disillusioned with so-called love. In his eyes, his brother’s devotion had been worthless to the woman he loved. Cheap and false affection was truly a weapon that destroyed men.
At this moment, Li Suyu felt fear—fear that his own feelings might be wasted, that to those beside him he might be nothing but a source of disgust, that their hearts might already belong to someone else. It is said only those who do not care can act freely—just as he had with Jiang Yun.
Yan Hui did not care whether he had equal wives or concubines, and so she could remain detached. Thinking this, Li Suyu’s eyes hardened with cold light.
“You mean it’s true?” The old madam’s trembling finger pointed at him. “Suyi truly… truly died because of this?”
Li Suyu rose, clearly unwilling to continue the topic with her. He turned his gaze to Yan Hui.
Yan Hui was startled. His cold eyes were so sharp, as if he would devour her whole. Even with two lifetimes of experience, she felt a flicker of fear under such a gaze. She asked cautiously: “General… what is the matter?”
The old madam rose unsteadily and said: “Since that is the case, then you must handle it. You know my wishes, and you do not want to defy me. Then find a way to continue the family line.”
Round and round, it all came back to the reminder: the legitimate heir of the Li family must not come from Yan Hui’s womb.
Hearing the old madam’s veiled threat and reminder, Yan Hui raised her brows. She did not believe the old madam truly wanted her to bear heirs for the Li family. If she did, she would not speak with such an attitude.
Li Suyu looked at Yan Hui’s calm expression and ground out through clenched teeth: “Madam Yan is my wife. I will ensure the Li family has heirs as soon as possible!”