Chapter 1130

Yu Shi Mei now counts as a woman who has had extraordinary experiences and seen many different landscapes.

After being captured at Shenxian Ling, she has made her home in the prison cell; Chen Wuji did not let her stay in a fixed jail in any city, but followed the supply corps on campaigns east and west—wherever Chen Wuji's great army went, her prison cart followed.

At first, this woman was still very stubborn.

Besides eating, sleeping, and enjoying the scenery each day, she would curse Chen Wuji.

Her little mouth was as if poisoned, spitting out all kinds of harsh words.

She believed she had told Chen Wuji what he wanted to know according to their agreement, yet Chen Wuji ignored martial virtue and did not release her—very disgraceful, a most wicked breach of morality, deserving of a fierce curse.

But as she wandered more places, Yu Shi Mei's mindset changed; she began to feel the prison cell was truly too small.

She wanted freedom!

In recent months, Yu Shi Mei has thought of countless ways to see Chen Wuji and exchange for freedom.

The stubborn duck finally opened its beak, but could Chen Wuji let her succeed so easily?

Continue to let her bask in the sun.

With the passage of time, Yu Shi Mei's bottom line has become increasingly loose.

She began to rack her brains for ways to free herself, even offering to become Chen Wuji's slave—a loss of dignity.

Moreover, speaking sincerely, while offering to become a slave, she also proactively imposed many restrictions on herself, such as having her acupoints sealed or wearing shackles while working.

All of this hinges on one condition: please, Chen Wuji, grant her freedom.

This woman has spoken her piece to this extent; coincidentally, such a task exists now, and Chen Wuji decides to give her a chance.

Even if the words spoken are as splendid as true gold, if not tested by fire, they remain doubtful.

In fact, Yu Yan Chu has sought favor for Yu Shi Mei several times, but Chen Wuji has never agreed; he fully understands Yu Yan Chu's affection for this little sister.

But feelings are feelings; many things cannot be judged by feeling alone.

This woman, Yu Shi Mei, is too dangerous.

If released rashly, it will likely not be a good thing.

……

Hezhou, General's Mansion.

Sandalwood incense wafts; Yu Yan Chu, once the Elder Princess, personally attends at Chen Wuji's side, refilling his tea with red sleeves and grinding ink.

"Please sit!" Chen Wuji says, "After all, you are the Elder Princess; letting you openly serve me in these tasks, if the scholars of the world knew, they might scold me for lacking shame and being stingy and neglectful!"

Yu Yan Chu smiles faintly, "Whether my husband has been neglectful toward me, I know in my heart; why should I care what others say? I serve my husband—this is simply natural and proper; Elder Princess or not, once married, I am a wife."

Chen Wuji chuckles, "There are still many principles."

Because he wishes to see Yu Shi Mei, Chen Wuji specially sent someone to summon Yu Yan Chu.

It also lets Yu Yan Chu see whether Yu Shi Mei has truly changed.

Outside the door, the sound of clanking chains rang out; moments later, Yu Shi Mei entered under Chen Wushuang's personal escort, followed by the two Lu family elders who resemble old farmers.

These two elders have been promoted to attendants; their current life is quite comfortable, yet they still dress as old farmers and cannot shake their love for farming.

Not long ago, Chen Wuji just granted them two mansions in Hezhou and assigned many servants to attend to their living needs; the next day, these two opened all idle spaces in the garden into vegetable plots, shouting for all servants to join in tilling and planting.

Life has improved, yet these two remain true to their nature.

"Marquis!"

The two Lu family elders bowed simply to Chen Wuji; one squatted beside the antique rack, took out his pipe, and began filling it with tobacco; the other casually sat by the doorway, his gaze sweeping under the tables.

Chen Wuji chuckled, knowing what Lu Daye was looking at.

"Someone, bring wine for Lu Daye!" Chen Wuji ordered.

These two are versed in tobacco, alcohol, and tea, but Lu San Ye favors tobacco more, while Lu Daye favors alcohol more.

At their age, these two are truly enlightened.

Lu Daye, upon hearing this, his face full of wrinkles instantly relaxed into a look of ease: "Still the Marquis understands this old man—good wine, still need wine to moisten the mouth."

Yu Shi Mei's gaze swept over the two elders, her eyes slightly surprised, she stepped forward and said: "Criminal Yu Shi Mei pays respects to the Marquis..."

"Madam." Her gaze flicked quickly over Yu Yan Chu, she called softly.

Yu Yan Chu's eyes trembled slightly; she whispered to Chen Wuji: "Husband, may you grant Eleventh Sister a seat? Her frail body does not look well now."

Before Chen Wuji could speak, Yu Shi Mei interjected: "Thank you, Madam, for your kindness; I am a criminal, so I shall just stand as I am—each day I sit, I also wish to stand awhile."

"Someone, arrange a seat!" Chen Wuji ordered.

The armored sword-bearer stepped forward with heavy steps, pulled a round stool, and placed it behind Yu Shi Mei.

"Yu Shi Mei, I can consider granting you freedom." Chen Wuji had nothing else to say to Yu Shi Mei, so he got straight to the point: "But, I will first speak the ugly words—if you cannot fulfill what you said, you will have no chance to continue staying in the prison cell."

Yu Shi Mei's eyes lit up: "I can, I not only can, but I can do even better."

"Words spoken may be splendid, but I do not believe it—I want to see your actions!"

"Yes! Yes!"

Yu Yan Chu secretly clenched her hands, her expression hard to hide her delight.

As the eldest sister raised in the imperial palace's forbidden precinct, she never learned those false arts of scheming and rivalry; instead, her heart is soft, and she often cares for these brothers and sisters.

Yu Shi Mei is one she holds dear in her heart yet does not know how to help.

It was so in childhood; grown up, it remains so.

Today's outcome is, for her, undoubtedly a great joy.

One side is her husband, who commands a powerful army and holds authority over life and death in several commanderies; the other is her own younger sister. If these two continue to stalemate, the outcome will surely be something she does not want.

"Cui Jiuzi, tell her what happened!" Chen Wuji said solemnly.

"Yes!"

Cui Jiuzi stepped forward and detailed to Yu Shi Mei the actions of the martial sects in Jiannan Commandery and Shangfang Commandery, explaining the causes and consequences thoroughly.

Yu Shi Mei listened, at times furrowing her brow slightly, at times showing disdain on her face.

As a seasoned assassin, Yu Shi Mei completely failed to manage her expression this time.

"I know you've hidden your true core subordinates under your command, and you haven't revealed them on paper to this day, but it's fine—I don't need them now," Chen Wuji said.