Chapter 753: Backstab

When the other party said they wanted to discuss cooperation, He Ya was momentarily stunned.

She didn't know what worth she, in her sorry state, had to offer for cooperation.

Moreover, it was this aristocratic young master before her who brought it up, making everything seem unbelievable, even somewhat dreamlike.

He Ya had not completely lost her senses; she lifted her head and gave the young noble before her a cold stare.

"Who exactly are you? What do you want? I don't think I have anything worth cooperating with you over."

The young noble gave a light smile, then respectfully greeted He Ya, and said with a smile: "I am Chen Wu, the eldest son of the Chen family of Shang Jing, recently assigned to attend the Emperor; I haven't even had a chance to make my face known, yet I never expected the Emperor to take a liking to a barbarian."

"Now that barbarian has angered the Emperor; the Emperor's landscape painting has been lost, and they say he stole it."

"Da Wo said he was just with you, but you know he's a barbarian—how could the Emperor possibly truly favor him?"

"Bringing him to Shang Jing this time is merely because he saved the young prince and princess."

"Furthermore, the ruler's heart is unfathomable; it's inevitable that Da Wo will fall out of favor before him."

"So I have come to cooperate with you, to add another fire to his situation."

He Ya's eyes flickered as she understood; this person likely worries that the Emperor's favor toward Da Wo will threaten his position.

Chen Wu said slowly: "In a moment the Emperor will send someone to bring you to confront Da Wo; you only need to say you did not see Da Wo tonight, and that you retired early."

"I will also arrange those kitchen maids; as long as you can speak my words before the Emperor..."

Chen Wu composed himself, pulled a stack of silver notes from his bosom, and placed them in He Ya's hand.

"Take these silver notes; if you still wish to be with this young master..."

Chen Wu's smile grew slightly ambiguous, and He Ya saw her cheeks flush faintly.

Chen Wu said lightly: "A talent and appearance like yours, if you went to Shang Jing, I don't know how many nobles and aristocrats would follow you."

"Now I have taken a liking to you; if you are unwilling to follow me, just take these silver notes and leave."

"If you are willing to follow me, take these silver notes to the nearby town, find an inn to stay in; after a few days, once I return to the capital and settle affairs, I will personally come to fetch you to my manor."

"Of course, your status is somewhat humble; I will arrange an official in Jing Cheng to recognize you as my adopted daughter, then openly marry you into my household as the Chen family's young lady—what do you think?"

He Ya's eyes widened instantly; she hadn't expected that, although Da Wo could no longer be relied upon, such a great fortune would fall upon her midway.

For a moment, He Ya stood there, stunned.

"How do you consider it, miss?" Chen Wu shoved the silver notes into He Ya's hand; her fingers touched the notes and she shuddered, then took a deep breath and clenched them.

The moment He Ya received the silver notes, Chen Wu's gaze grew deeper.

"Very well, we have agreed; soon someone may come to look for you, miss—you should know what to say before the Emperor. I take my leave!"

Chen Wu even stepped forward, scooped He Ya into his arms in a tight embrace, then turned and strode out.

His steps were overly hurried, as if he were fleeing something.

Sure enough, not long after he left, Yun Duo personally arrived with others at her tent.

Seeing Yun Duo's demeanor, He Ya felt uneasy; a mere servant yet acting so aloof, like the master of the household.

She watched Yun Duo walk in, put on a stern face, sat slowly at the table's edge, picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea.

Yun Duo's brows furrowed; still pretending at this time?

Yun Duo didn't want to waste words, saying: "The Emperor summons you."

He Ya heard this and her heart panicked, but she steadied herself.

She wanted to run but couldn't; better to stay and gamble on a future for herself.

That desolate Mo Bei—she had truly grown tired of living there.

He Ya rose and followed behind Yun Duo; before long she arrived at the central position.

Only then did she truly see the emperor and empress; before her stood the Southern Qi Emperor Xiao Yin, hands behind his back, standing before the tent.

Simply his bearing inspired a sense of awe.

He Ya's heart jumped, and she fell to her knees with a thud before Xiao Yin.

To the side, Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze toward Yun Duo, who nodded at her.

Gu Jiu Ling felt she had a trick up her sleeve, and the corner of her mouth curled into a cold smile.

Xiao Yin felt quite annoyed; a woman who despises poverty and loves wealth—just drag her out and behead her.

Yet his own empress had caused such a scene, saying Da Wo had shown them kindness; if they simply dragged away and executed the woman they loved, they might later alienate them, causing even more trouble.

She wanted He Ya to lose utterly, convinced in heart and mouth.

Xiao Yin fixed his gaze on He Ya kneeling before him and coldly said: "The witness has arrived!"

Da Wo hurriedly looked at He Ya: "He Ya, help me be a witness; just now I was with you the whole time, and we talked about many childhood amusements."

"I truly did not steal the Emperor's landscape painting!"

Everyone's gaze turned to He Ya, but this time she lowered her head and remained silent.

Da Wo suddenly grew anxious, urging: "He Ya! Speak!"

"Not long ago I still brought you food and some items women need; that was still me asking Yun Duo to deliver them for me."

The two words "Yun Duo" pierced He Ya's ears, and her face instantly darkened.

"How can a lowly servant act arrogantly before the Emperor, while she cannot become a person above others?"

He Ya lifted her head to look at Xiao Yin; meeting his pair of rippling peach-blossom eyes made her heart jump fiercely.

"Having drawn the bow, there's no turning back; he felt he ought to be the one above others, his hatred rising as he lifted his head, delighted: 'Beautiful lady, just now I was alone in my tent, not together with...'"

"I am your clever girl; I don't know when I offended you, sister, you are thus slandering me—a man and woman alone together in a room, so real, for so long; could it not have ruined the lady's reputation? Lady, please have the Emperor decide for you; lady, I truly have not met you face to face."

As He Ya's words left her mouth, the person kneeling beside her suddenly lifted his head, incredulously gazing at the river beside him, this tribesperson; the beautiful maiden had entered his heart since childhood.

Unexpectedly, in this situation, every word He Ya uttered was like a silent blade striking only me.

"How can you dare say that?"

"We wanted to take our passion to face off before He Yang, but were pressed down by the people of Lin Fen; okay, somewhat frightened, we retreated backward, then cried out, covering the bed with a cloth: 'I have not harmed you; on the contrary, you wish to harm me—I have never been with you in the dead of night, do not insult my goddess.'"

His eyes were somewhat red, Sisi wants it like this, indeed cannot say a word, the most painful thing in the world is that the person he loves and trusts most stabs him in the back, at this time his heart is utterly cold and disheartened, he initially also saw him being sincere and felt somewhat pitiful, and decided to keep him by his side, although he had betrayed me once, I decided to give him another chance, unexpectedly shortly after, this woman again pushed him into the abyss, striking me, and suddenly my anger dissipated.

「Good, when you tidy up.! ……」