Chapter 1472: On the Sickbed

In that magnificent Three Kingdoms era, heroes and wise men emerged in large numbers, and behind this stage of heroes competing for the deer, many unknown emotional entanglements were also hidden. Zhou Yu, the outstanding general of Eastern Wu, and Xiao Qiao, the beautiful and talented woman, their love story had been praised by countless people. However, hidden beneath this beautiful legend was a secret unknown to many—an accidental encounter let Zhou Yu discover Xiao Qiao's betrayal.

It was a stormy night, and Zhou Yu had just returned from the front line, exhausted in body and mind. He was full of expectation that he could return home and spend a moment of tranquility with Xiao Qiao. However, when he stepped into the house, he accidentally encountered a secret meeting between Xiao Qiao and a strange man.

Zhou Yu's footsteps solidified at the door, his gaze like a torch, staring tightly at this scene. A flash of panic crossed Xiao Qiao's face, and she quickly tidied her clothes, trying to cover up her confusion. And that strange man stood aside with an embarrassed face, at a loss.

"Xiao Qiao..." Zhou Yu's voice was low and powerful, and he tried hard to control his emotions, not letting his anger explode. "Who is this..."

A flash of hesitation crossed Xiao Qiao's eyes, but she quickly calmed down and explained with her gentle voice: "Yu, you misunderstood. This is..." She paused, as if looking for a suitable excuse, "He is a distant relative of mine, passing through this place, specifically to visit me."

Zhou Yu's brows were tightly locked, and he keenly sensed that Xiao Qiao's explanation was full of loopholes. His gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Qiao and the strange man, trying to find the truth from their expressions and behavior.

"Distant relative?" Zhou Yu sneered, "Why have I never heard you mention it? And, why would he be here so late? Xiao Qiao, tell me, what is going on?"

Xiao Qiao's face turned pale, and she knew her lie had been seen through by Zhou Yu. She gritted her teeth and decided to confess everything: "Yu, I'm sorry. I... I did betray you. This man, he is my former lover, he came to find me, because..."

"Because of what?" Zhou Yu's voice had become as cold as frost, "Is it because you couldn't stand the loneliness, or because you are already tired of me?"

Tears welled up in Xiao Qiao's eyes, and she shook her head painfully: "No, it's not like that. Yu, listen to my explanation. He came to find me because he had important things to tell me, about... about our country."

Zhou Yu was stunned. He did not expect Xiao Qiao's betrayal to be related to national affairs. He took a deep breath, trying hard to calm his emotions: "Good, tell me. I want to hear what important things he has to tell you, to the extent that you betrayed our love."

Xiao Qiao wiped her tears and began to tell. It turned out that this strange man was a spy from an enemy country, who used his old relationship with Xiao Qiao to try to extract secret intelligence about Eastern Wu from her. However, after Xiao Qiao learned his true identity, she did not immediately expose him but decided to use this opportunity to make a contribution to the country.

"I know I was wrong to do this, but I really couldn't bear to see our country fall into crisis." Xiao Qiao sobbed, "Yu, will you forgive me? I was just confused for a moment, I never thought about really betraying you."

Listening to Xiao Qiao's sobbing, Zhou Yu's heart was like a stormy sea. He was both angry and painful, but he also understood that Xiao Qiao might have her own difficulties in doing this. He took a deep breath, trying hard to calm his emotions.

"Xiao Qiao, do you know how dangerous you are?" Zhou Yu's voice carried a trace of trembling, "You not only betrayed me but also betrayed our country. Do you know? If his purpose was really to extract intelligence, then your behavior would bring a disaster of extinction to Eastern Wu."

Xiao Qiao lowered her head; she knew she had committed an unforgivable mistake. She sobbed: "I know, I know I was wrong. But I was really confused for a moment, I just... just wanted to do something for our country."

Zhou Yu closed his eyes, feeling a sense of deep powerlessness. He loved Xiao Qiao, but he also knew that as a general, he could not tolerate such betrayal. He was silent for a moment, then slowly opened his eyes.

"Xiao Qiao, you go." Zhou Yu's voice was cold and decisive, "I can no longer face you, nor can I trust you anymore. You go, go far away, and never come back."

Xiao Qiao was stunned; she did not expect Zhou Yu to be so decisive. She looked at Zhou Yu with tearful eyes, trying to keep him: "Yu, don't be like this. I know I was wrong, I am willing to correct it. Will you give me a chance to make up for my mistake?"

Zhou Yu shook his head, his gaze having become cold and distant: "Xiao Qiao, some mistakes cannot be made up for. You go, go far away, and never let me see you again."

Xiao Qiao knew that she could no longer save this relationship. She nodded painfully, then turned and left. Her figure gradually disappeared into the night, leaving only a string of sad tears shining on the ground.

Zhou Yu stood in place, his gaze empty and confused. He knew he had lost a woman he loved deeply, but he also knew that he had to hold on to his principles and stance. He took a deep breath, then straightened his back and walked into his study with big strides.

In the days that followed, Zhou Yu became more silent and cold. He devoted himself entirely to the country's war, fighting for the prosperity and strength of Eastern Wu with his wisdom and courage. However, deep in his heart, he could never forget Xiao Qiao's betrayal and departure.

Time flows, and the tripartite confrontation of the Three Kingdoms gradually changed. Zhou Yu made repeated meritorious deeds on the battlefield, becoming an indispensable pillar of Eastern Wu. However, his body gradually collapsed. Long-term fatigue and tension eroded his health, and he knew his time was running out.

On the sickbed, Zhou Yu looked at the sky outside the window, his heart filled with reluctance for life and worry about Jiangdong's future. He knew he was about to pass away, but he hoped even more that his departure could inspire the soldiers of Eastern Wu to continue moving forward.

At the moment of his death, Zhou Yu summoned Sun Quan to his bedside. He held Sun Quan's hand tightly and said in a weak but firm voice: "My lord, although I am not talented, I am willing to use my meager strength to be loyal to the foundation of Jiangdong. Now I am terminally ill and fear I will not be in this world for long. I hope my lord will not forget the original intention, continue to consolidate the Jiangdong foundation, and compete with Shu Han and Cao Wei for the world. At the same time, I also ask my lord to treat my family and subordinates well, so that they can spend their remaining years in peace."