Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 62 A man who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present.
The whole family is heading to Yanzhou! Leaving Luoyang!

These words truly stunned Li Wan!

“But my father and brother are both in Luoyang. With their help, my husband will be greatly helped.”

Li Wan said with some reluctance.

"Sima Yan can first make you a widow, let Shi Shouxin die under mysterious circumstances, and then have your father send you into his harem."

Sima Zhao is in poor health and his days are numbered; Sima Yan will soon ascend the throne. Given this urgent situation, do you really intend to continue hesitating?

Yang Huiyu's tone became stern.

Clearly, many people knew that Sima Yan had been obsessed with Li Wan to the point of madness, and Yang Huiyu was no exception.

This matter may not seem like a big deal, but that's from Sima Yan's perspective. For Shi Shouxin, however, it was no small matter.

Putting everything else aside, this "crown prince" will definitely want to regain some face when he becomes emperor. By any measure, he'll need Li Wan to serve him in bed for a few nights before he can finally vent his anger, right?
Back then, Li Wan disregarded everything and married Shi Shouxin, a man with no social status, leaving her suitor, Sima Yan, to the sidelines.

For every moment of epic grandeur back then, there is now just as much trepidation.

Even if Sima Yan was magnanimous, he would still feel uncomfortable watching Shi Shouxin and Li Wan kissing and hugging right under his nose every day!

The best approach is to stay away and let time heal all wounds.

"You may not be able to stop Sima Yan, but I can."

Of course, the best course of action is to flee far away to avoid trouble.

Shi Shouxin is already a government official in the capital. He has been training in the Imperial Household Department for two years and participated in the campaign against Shu. Sending him to a post outside the capital for a period of time is the best option.

Of course, the families of officials sent to other places are supposed to stay in Luoyang, but I have a way to reunite you and your spouse in your new place of post.

I told my family that my uncle (Yang Hu) was on good terms with Shi Shouxin. My family is quite influential in Yanzhou, and we have a local official who is on good terms with the Yang family. I believe my family would be happy to go along with this.

With me in Yanzhou mediating between the government and local powerful families, it would be easy for Shi Shouxin to achieve political success.

Yang Huiyu solemnly assured him that she certainly couldn't reveal all her true intentions. Simply not lying was already a great act of honesty.

"Then thank you, Madam Yu. This arrangement is excellent."

Li Wan said gratefully.

"No need to thank me. I may need to rely on your husband in the future. We help and depend on each other."

"As long as your husband doesn't betray me, I will never harm you."

Yang Huiyu said earnestly, her attitude very sincere.

Li Wan nodded slightly, but secretly thought to herself: This Lady Yu is not only beautiful but also has a great temperament. Will my husband be attracted to her and admire her in the future, and eventually end up in bed making love?
You must know that Lady Yu had been a widow for many years and was truly "single." Her husband was strong and handsome, and had a generous and straightforward personality, which made him admired and loved by many noblewomen.

For example, Shi Bao's eldest daughter, Shi Chong's younger sister, had an inexplicable longing for Shi Shouxin and often found excuses to visit his home.

At this moment, Li Wan felt a deep sense of crisis. Her husband was very capable and charming, and it seemed he was about to make connections with the powerful and influential.

This glamorous and decadent circle is full of temptations.

Li Wan suddenly spoke up, saying, "I once heard my husband say that if Sima Yan were to do anything improper to me, my husband would perish with the Sima family. That's the kind of person he is. If you, Lady Yu, don't harm him, he will definitely work hard for you."

“Your husband is outstanding, loyal and righteous, which is why I trust him.”

Yang Huiyu nodded in deep agreement, a hint of shyness unconsciously appearing on her face.

Li Wan was thinking that it was obvious that Sima Yan harbored ill intentions towards her. However, it was clear that the woman in front of her, Lady Yu, had feelings for Shi Shouxin.

If one day this beautiful widow were to express that she had been widowed for many years and needed the warmth of a man's embrace, could Shi Shouxin refuse her affections?

Can the wife herself embarrass the woman who has greatly helped her husband by crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide?

Only then did Li Wan realize the determination and courage Shi Shouxin had shown in insisting on marrying her. She could refuse Sima Yan's coercion and enticement, but she would probably find it difficult to refuse this widow's invitation to her husband.

What's wrong with comforting your benefactor in your career for the sake of your future? Should the wife at home offend her benefactor and push her husband into a fire pit?

If they really want to retaliate, can you stop them? These days, if the head of the household is gone, the family falls apart.

For a moment, Li Wan's mind raced with chaotic thoughts, unsure of how to react. Much later, she managed to console herself, telling herself that none of this had happened yet, and she'd deal with it afterward.

She didn't know what to do either.

It was getting late, so the two chatted for a while before lying down on a bed to sleep.

After lying down, Li Wan suddenly realized that Sima Zhao had probably sent an invitation to Yang Huiyu to the General's Mansion today, intending to take her down tonight!
Otherwise, why would Sima Shi's widow need to disguise herself to avoid trouble at her own home, or even lie on her bed to fall asleep, for fear of being betrayed?

"After your husband returns from Shu, I will arrange for him to be appointed as the governor of Taishan County, or at the very least as a clerk."

Of course, before that, you and your children will settle down there first; I've already made all the arrangements.

You'll find out then.

Yang Huiyu said in a low voice.

"Thank you, Madam Yu."

Li Wan said gratefully.

"After the successful conquest of Shu, the obstacle to Sima Zhao's change of dynasty will be gone. If your husband stays in Luoyang, he will have to make a statement."

After all, he was the one who held the sword beside the Duke of Gaogui back then. If he were to join others in shouting that the Sima family should be the emperor, how would others view him?

If he hadn't said that, Sima Zhao would have found a pretext to kill him, and then handed you over to Sima Yan, killing two birds with one stone.

Therefore, staying in Luoyang is not a good thing; the risks are too great.

Yang Huiyu explained patiently.

"Your family's land and houses in Luoyang are not going to be kept. You might as well have your husband write to the court to take back the land."

Of course, the paper mill will also be taken back.

When we arrived in Yanzhou, land there was worthless. With my help, we were able to acquire hundreds of acres of fertile land with ease.

We'll expand the family business then."

Upon hearing these words, Li Wan remained silent.

Yang Huiyu's political acumen far surpasses hers; he has an uncanny grasp of the intricacies of high-level politics and sees them clearly.

Yang Huiyu was a true noblewoman, her vision unimaginable to others. The wealth many could only dream of their entire lives was merely scraps she could obtain. "Lady Yu, are we going to live in Yanzhou forever?"

Li Wan asked in a murmur to herself, but in the darkness, neither of them could see the other's expression.

"How is that possible?"

Yang Huiyu sighed deeply and said with some emotion:
"Take Xu Ying for example. Her ex-husband's family was considered a wealthy family in Hedong, but the powerful people of Luoyang could ruin them with just a few words. If I were a bad person, I would have given her to the Sima family's sons as a plaything long ago."

Whether it's the Lü family or the Xu family, who dares to do anything to me?
Look, even a wealthy family's newlywed wife can be treated like a plaything by the powerful and influential, and it's all just a matter of a few words from them. These people's influence seems to descend from the heavens; outsiders simply can't escape it.

It's not that we can't return to Luoyang, but rather that we need to temporarily avoid the limelight and wait for an opportunity.

Hearing this, Li Wan was very suspicious of what Yang Huiyu had gone through in the past, that she could see through the game of power so clearly.

At this moment, Li Wan understood that her husband, Shi Shouxin, had been working in the Shaofu (Minister's Office) for the past two years. Although he had made many achievements, his official position had only been slowly promoted.

To put it bluntly, it's just accumulating capital; it's far from achieving great success.

He was at such a low level in the officialdom that he couldn't see many things at all.

Everything changed when Sima Shi's widow appeared. Ever since she came into view, Shi Shouxin's progress accelerated considerably!

Li Wan thought to herself that, given Shi Shouxin's character and abilities, if he didn't marry her, this "taboo" woman, he could most likely "marry into" the Shi family and get together with Shi Bao's eldest daughter and Shi Chong's sister.

Given Shi Bao's favor with the emperor, it wouldn't be difficult for Shi Shouxin to get a government position; he might even be doing better than he is now.

Li Wan also knew that her father, Li Yin, had not used his connections to promote Shi Shouxin. The so-called "assistance" was not overt; it all required hard work from him.

She recalled what Shi Shouxin had once told her: "Husbands and wives should support each other," and immediately agreed.

This young couple had to forge their own path step by step, relying entirely on themselves for everything.

"Miss Yu, if you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. If Ah Lang isn't around, you can just tell me."

Li Wan held Yang Huiyu's fair and delicate hand and whispered in her ear.

Hearing this, Yang Huiyu felt a bitter taste in her mouth. She really did have many requests to make of this "official wife" in bed.

Li Wan is so kind-hearted, she couldn't bear to be the bad guy.

……

Yang Huiyu left Luoyang quietly. Rumor has it that one day in the General's Mansion, Sima Zhao's wife, Wang Yuanji, had a big argument with Sima Zhao for some unknown reason. It almost escalated to the point of physical violence, and no one could stop them!

Later, Wang Yuanji sent someone to inform Yang Huiyu's adopted son, her own second son, Sima You, who was stationed in Yanzhou, to go to the Yang family's ancestral home to find Yang Huiyu and ask her to return to Luoyang to live.

However, Yang Huiyu refused all of them, citing "physical discomfort and incompatibility with the environment," and her attitude was very firm.

Wang Yuanji seemed to understand something, so she stopped insisting on the matter and simply asked Sima Zhao to recall Sima You, who had been sent to a post outside the capital, back to Luoyang.

After Sima You returned to Luoyang, Sima Zhao appointed him as the Marquis of Anchang County and General of the Guards, and put him in a position in the Imperial Guards. He did not harbor any resentment towards this de facto legitimate son and his elder brother's stepson because of the Yang Huiyu incident.

Upon returning to her old family home, Yang Huiyu shed her mask of pretense, revealing an obvious vitality within her.

She used the excuse of recuperating to stay in a separate courtyard belonging to the Yang family in Fenggao County, Taishan Prefecture, where no outsiders would disturb her. Given the Yang family's influence in Taishan Prefecture, Yang Huiyu didn't need to worry about those trivial matters.

This place offers tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle, with a large courtyard but few rooms, complete with pavilions and towers, and a stream flowing directly into the courtyard.

To be honest, it's much more beautiful and elegant than Sima Zhao's Grand General's Mansion; it's truly high-class! Xu Ying, who prides herself on having seen the world, didn't dare to speak carelessly after arriving here. Only now did she truly understand how deep the influence of the Taishan Mountain Clan was in this area.

The Yang clan of Taishan were the local tyrants of Taishan County! They were truly absolute rulers, and even the government had to defer to them!
Yang Huiyu is no different from the "eldest princess" here.

"Is Lady Yu planning to write a poem?"

That evening, seeing Yang Huiyu sitting at his desk staring blankly at the oil lamp, Xu Ying leaned over and whispered a question.

She came from a family of officials and had been studying and writing since childhood, making her very cultured. As a result, she was well-liked and trusted by Yang Huiyu.

Some things can only be truly understood when spoken to cultured people.

"I'm the kind of person who's a little anxious and wants to do those things for him, fearing that he might not understand the intricacies and get into serious trouble."

But this kind of thinking is foolish in itself; it only leaves one feeling helpless and frustrated, unable to stop thinking about it, yet constantly finding oneself dwelling on it.

Yang Huiyu sighed and placed the calligraphy brush she was playing with on the brush holder.

“Yu Niangzi, I’m not saying that Shi Langjun is bad. In fact, I think he’s better than any other man I know.”

But you are, after all, Sima Shi's wife in name only. If this gets out, you might...die.

Xu Ying offered some words of advice with concern.

"I've lived a stifled life for half my life. I had to endure what I had to endure and give way to what I had to give way to. I had no choice, no likes or dislikes. I became the widow who was sensible and righteous in other people's eyes."

Now that I'm free from those shackles, all I want to do is pursue what I want and care about the people I cherish. That's all.

What about the rest?

Yang Huiyu said nonchalantly.

Is she a philandering, shameless woman?

No, no, no, Yang Huiyu was just going all out; it wasn't stealing at all! She was like a moth drawn to a flame!

"So, Lady Yu arranged for Young Master Shi to be transferred to a post outside the capital and given an official position, just so that she could see him every day here?"

Xu Ying asked with a strange look on her face.

She always felt it was ridiculous for a woman to use so many resources just to achieve such a small goal.

"Although I have other plans, this is the main reason for me. I like seeing him every day, and I'm happy to do it."

What does it matter to me if the Cao family's empire falls? What does it matter to me if Sima Zhao becomes emperor, or Sima Yan becomes emperor?

What's the point of clinging to the title of Sima Shi?

I only care about what's on my mind; everything else is fine as it may.

Yang Huiyu fiddled with her long, flowing hair with her right hand, her words carrying a hint of flippancy and glee.

Since arriving in Fenggao City, she has loosened her womanly hair and always wears her hair down to her shoulders, dressed like a young girl.

Upon hearing these words, Xu Ying was speechless.

Yang Huiyu's words can be summed up in one sentence: I just like it, I just want to be someone's mistress, so what?
(End of this chapter)