Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

At this moment, Gu Ruoxiao and Yun Chu were sitting in General Shen's hall, drinking tea. Chi Wu and his two companions stood guard behind them, along with hidden guards on alert. After all, Yun Chu was now a bargaining chip for General Shen, and it wasn't impossible that he would openly try to snatch her away to save his granddaughter. After all, he only had one daughter and one granddaughter.

Knowing that this was the time to come, Gu Ruoxiao originally disagreed.

"What, you can't protect me in General Shen's mansion?" Yun Chu asked, feigning provocation.

Knowing Yun Chu's purpose, he still had to compromise, only repeatedly emphasizing that she should stay by his side.

General Shen strode in. "What, you've changed your mind? You've agreed to marry Wan'er?"

"No," Gu Ruoxiao denied.

"Then what are you doing here? Why don't you hurry up and think of a way to save them?"

Yun Chu stood up and bowed, "This humble woman, Yun Chu, greets General Shen."

"You are Yun Chu?" General Shen narrowed his eyes. "Men, tie her up and take her to exchange for someone else!"

"Let's see who dares!" Gu Ruoxiao stood up and stood protectively beside Yun Chu. Chi Wu and the others also surrounded Yun Chu.

The two groups of people were facing off.

"General Shen, is there any need for such a tense standoff? We dared to come because we were well-prepared," Yun Chu said calmly. "We're here to discuss matters, not to fight. Besides, we've heard of General Shen's widespread reputation and the deep respect he commands from both the military and the people. Surely he wouldn't sacrifice innocent civilians for the lives of his own men? If word got out, it would surely throw the morale of the army and the people into disarray."

General Shen glanced at the woman speaking in the crowd, waved his hand, and the soldiers in the mansion all withdrew. Gu Ruoxiao's side also sheathed their swords.

"What is it?" General Shen asked, straightening his sleeves.

"We've come here for two things. First, I'll go and ensure Miss Shangguan's safe return."

"Is that really true?" General Shen asked doubtfully. "Aren't you afraid?"

"You will know tomorrow."

"Is this woman the reason you're unwilling to marry Wan'er?" General Shen said, taking a sip of tea.

"Yes, she is the only wife I will ever have in this life," Gu Ruoxiao said firmly.

Yun Chu was stunned for a moment and looked at him. She did not expect Gu Ruoxiao to openly admit to her in front of outsiders, even in front of General Shen.

"And what about you? Because of him, are you willing to go and bring back other women?" General Shen asked Yun Chu, with a hint of sarcasm.

Yun Chu smiled and said, "Some things don't need a reason."

"What's the second thing you wanted to ask me for? I don't have time to waste on your nonsense!" General Shen said impatiently.

"General Shen, let me tell you a story," Yun Chu said.

“Long ago, a young man met a woman in a coastal town. They shared similar interests and quickly became friends. Later, they traveled the world together, enjoying themselves immensely. That year, they went home for the Spring Festival and agreed to meet again on the fifteenth of the first lunar month in the town where they first met. They must have liked each other by then, right?” Yun Chu paused here, while General Shen, who hadn’t paid much attention before, seemed to be lost in thought.

"Later, the woman arrived as promised. She waited anxiously in that small town, her heart filled with anticipation for her beloved's arrival. But he didn't come. She lingered in the town for more than half a month—enough time for multiple trips to the capital, right? Then, devastating news came from her home: her father had fallen off a cliff while out, and her mother, grief-stricken, fell ill and never recovered. She rushed back. By the time she finished arranging her parents' funerals and returned to the town, more than a month had passed. She then heard that the young man had married in the capital to a daughter of a prominent family of equal standing. Perhaps, it truly was a good match." Yun Chu looked up at General Shen, her eyes filled with anger and contempt.

"No. If my father hadn't tricked me into coming back, if His Majesty hadn't played a prank on me and I hadn't ended up hurting myself while trying to save him, I wouldn't be locked up by my father and unable to leave the house. I sent people to deliver messages to her, but my father stopped them all." General Shen roared, clenching his fists.

"So, was it forced upon you by others to marry the daughter of a prominent family?" Yun Chu questioned.

"His Majesty felt guilty towards me, so he requested an imperial decree to grant us marriage. What he thought was a good intention turned out to be a shackle for me. My father promised me that as long as I married her and had offspring to inherit the family business, he would let me leave home. I planned to do it for now and explain to her after I found A-Li. But later, after I returned to Luoshui, I could no longer find her. I sent people to search everywhere, but there was still no news." General Shen's voice choked as he spoke.

So that's how it is. So that's where his hatred for his elder brother came from. Gu Ruoxiao suddenly realized.

"What I want to tell you today is not about your unrequited love, but about another woman you abandoned in the capital," Yun Chu said, composing herself as her emotions surged.

General Shen looked up at her.

"After marrying you, this noble lady abandoned you in the capital while you went alone to Luoshui to fight and defend the border. To put it nicely, you're righteous and dedicated to your country; to put it bluntly, you're an ungrateful and heartless man," Yun Chu said angrily. "You married her but didn't love her, leaving her alone to raise your child. Yet you still feel sorry for yourself, staying in Luoshui for your love. You hurt another woman because of one. You didn't love her and couldn't even take good care of her; you shouldn't have married her!" Yun Chu rebuked.

General Shen remained silent, while Gu Ruoxiao looked at Yun Chu before him, his heart churning with inexplicable emotions.

“The Prince and Miss Shangguan now are just like you and the young lady from the noble family back then. Do you want Miss Shangguan to endure the same strong winds and torrential rains that you once brought down? Or do you want to tear her umbrella apart after you were soaked in the rain?” Yun Chu asked.

General Shen was speechless.

"I'm telling you all this today to let you know that since he chose me, I will stand firmly by his side. If you truly care about Miss Shangguan, please put yourself in his shoes and stop forcing things."

As Gu Ruoxiao listened to Yun Chu's words, he was filled with mixed emotions. He never expected that Yun Chu would go to such lengths for him, personally facing the storms and the rain of swords.

Yun Chu let out a breath. "I've said everything I needed to say." She walked to Gu Ruoxiao's side. "Let's go."

Gu Ruoxiao looked at her; she seemed a little tired. He took her hand and stood up.

From behind came General Shen's voice, which he tried to keep calm, "Why do you know about Jiang Li? Do you know her?"

Gu Ruoxiao held Yun Chu's hand; her fingers were icy cold and she was even trembling slightly. He said gently, "Let's go."

"Tell me!" came General Shen's angry roar from behind, his voice tinged with desolation.