Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

Yun Chu stopped moving. She closed her eyes briefly and sighed. "What do you want to know?"

"And then? Where did she go? Is she alright?" General Shen asked urgently, his voice hoarse and choked with sobs.

Yun Chu turned to look at the old man before her. The years had etched deep lines on his face. His eyes, though slightly obscured by the dust of time, still shone with an indomitable light. Silver strands had crept up his temples, and his beard, though thinning, was still neatly trimmed, exuding an undeniable air of authority. His battle robe, though faded, remained clean and tidy. One could vaguely discern the handsome features of his youth, but what did it matter?

Back then, when she listened to Grandma Jiang Li's story and pleas, she hated the man in front of her. She felt that this heartless man was not worthy of Grandma Jiang Li's affection.

"After hearing about your marriage, Grandma Jiang Li became depressed. Coupled with the death of her parents, she felt that there was no one left in the world she could trust or rely on, and she didn't know where to go. In a moment of despair, she plunged into the sea. Fortunately, heaven had eyes, and she was rescued by my maternal grandparents who were out fishing. With everyone's comfort, she finally let go of her resentment and lived with my grandmother at sea. However, she never wanted to set foot in the Luo River again, the place that made her so sad."

General Shen slumped into his chair, his body trembling uncontrollably. His hands, marked by the passage of time, were clasped tightly together, his knuckles turning a pale white from the force. "No wonder, no wonder, I haven't found her here again," he murmured to himself.

"Has she met her Mr. Right now?" General Shen asked hesitantly, his voice tinged with unease.

She never married.

"A lifetime?" General Shen suddenly raised his head, his eyes losing focus for a moment, staring blankly into the distance, as if his life's memories and unsolved mysteries were hidden there.

Yun Chu closed her eyes, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes. "When my maternal grandmother rescued her from the sea, she was probably suffering from a cold, and her health had never been very good. Every winter, the cold would get worse. She passed away seven years ago."

At this moment, General Shen's lips slowly drooped, revealing an indescribable bitterness. Tears welled up in his cloudy eyes, but did not fall, and his breathing became heavy and slow.

Yun Chu released Gu Ruoxiao's hand, walked to General Shen, took out something from her bosom—an inconspicuous little purse—opened it, took out its contents, and placed it along with the purse on the table next to General Shen.

General Shen's gaze followed her movements. When he saw the red rope, he sat up straight as if struck by lightning. His eyes widened, and he reached out and picked up the red rope with trembling hands.

Now, the red rope is no longer as bright as it once was; its color has faded, as if gently touched by the sands of time, which have taken away its original luster. The surface of the rope, due to long-term wear and friction, shows fine cracks and wear, like the mottled marks on an ancient city wall, recording every day and night it has spent with its owner. Two sandalwood beads are still strung on the red rope, with words carved on them, faintly visible: Shen Ci and Jiang Li. This was a bracelet personally woven and beads carved by General Shen himself.

"Grandma Jiang Li gave me this red string before she passed away. She said that if I ever saw you again, I would return it to you and say that we were destined to be apart. Originally, I didn't want to give it to you because I felt you were unworthy. You were unworthy to be the person Grandma Jiang Li loved her whole life." Yun Chu lowered her head. "But since it was her last wish, I respect it."

Yun Chu turned around. She had said what she should and shouldn't have said, and it was time to leave. She took Gu Ruoxiao's hand and prepared to go.

"Does she hate me?" General Shen asked from behind.

Yun Chu stopped. "I once asked her, but Grandma Jiang Li said she didn't hate you. She only regretted that she hadn't been brave enough to chase after you to the capital to ask you face to face. Maybe it was because she didn't love you enough. Back then, you didn't love him enough, and she didn't have enough courage and confidence. Maybe this is what they mean by 'one glance can ruin a lifetime.'"

Yun Chu took Gu Ruoxiao's hand and stepped out of the room. Soon after, a low and sorrowful sobbing sound came from inside the room.

Yun Chu ignored her, thinking, "If only I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place." She felt sorry for Granny Jiang Li. She pulled Gu Ruoxiao along the path, and Gu Ruoxiao watched her hurrying figure, her heart unable to calm down for a long time.

Gu Ruoxiao pulled her to a stop, and Yun Chu turned to look at him in confusion.

"Was Grandma Jiang Li also buried in Xiyan Mountain?"

Yun Chu nodded in confusion.

"Once things are settled here, shall we go and see the people of Xiyan Mountain?"

"Ok?"

"I'll go as my granddaughter's husband," Gu Ruoxiao said earnestly.

Yun Chu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let's go!" She pulled him forward, her mood seemingly not as bad as before.

"You weren't originally planning to talk about General Shen's matter, were you?"

"Well, what's there to say? Originally, according to the plan, you were to marry Shangguan Wan'er, and your marriage would have followed the trajectory of your past life. He would have gone his own way, continued to play the role of a deeply affectionate person, and continued to wallow in self-pity. He didn't need to know the truth. Anyway, I feel sorry for Grandma Jiang Li. If you like someone, you should be serious and clear-headed, without any impurities."

Gu Ruoxiao pulled Yun Chu to a stop again, straightened her body, and asked, "If, I mean if, I really agreed to marry Shangguan Wan'er, what would you do?"

Yun Chu looked at him with amusement, "Oh right, you don't know my plan."

"What plan?" Gu Ruoxiao asked, his voice trembling slightly.

“I have a plan. The war at Dongchi is much earlier than before. At the earliest, before the Lunar New Year’s Eve this year, and at the latest after the beginning of spring, I will hand over Shilipu to Liu Da and Zisu, and then take Nanrao and the others to live a secluded life in the mountains, free from worldly affairs, and enjoy my carefree and happy life.”

"Are you leaving?" Gu Ruoxiao gripped her shoulders tightly. A chill ran through his entire body from head to toe. He knew clearly that if she tried to hide, he might never find her again.

"Of course! Do you expect me to just stay in the capital and watch you and Shangguan Wan'er get married and live happily ever after?" Yun Chu rolled her eyes at Gu Ruoxiao. What kind of question was that? What kind of brain did she have?

"Yun Chu!" Gu Ruoxiao said urgently, gripping her shoulders even tighter.

Yun Chu felt a slight pain in her shoulder and looked up at Gu Ruoxiao. She finally realized that something was wrong with him.

"I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving. Things are different now," she said hurriedly, leaning over to wrap her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest, and stroking his back to comfort him.

Gu Ruoxiao hugged the person in front of him tightly. He closed his eyes and felt a wave of fear. Fortunately, he made the right decision. Fortunately, she came. Otherwise, when he returned to the capital, Qingfeng Courtyard might have been deserted, and he would have really lost her.