Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

His clothes were splendid, his eyes were as cold as knives, and a barely perceptible sneer played on his lips, as if he had everything under control. A faint arrogance inadvertently shone through his brows.

"Release her. Her death will do no good for anyone. Don't forget our agreement," the newcomer said slowly but firmly.

Gu Chengjie released his grip and stood up. "What are you doing here? We agreed I'd take responsibility for this."

"I'm afraid you're being too impulsive." The person patted Gu Chengjie on the shoulder.

"Greetings, young lady." The man bowed and said, "I am Dongfang Yunche from Dongchi. Please forgive me if there is anything inappropriate about inviting you to be my guest." Dongfang Yunche spoke with a smile, but it was as if he were a venomous snake that could flick its tongue.

His surname was Dongfang, the royal surname of the Dongchi Kingdom; he was a member of the royal family. Yun Chu suddenly understood.

When Dongchi rebelled, Yun Chu had checked the royal family genealogy; everyone in this generation had the character "Shan" in their names. The "Yun" generation? He was that inconspicuous illegitimate son who only returned to the palace at fifteen. Six years of palace life, and she'd heard he was timid and disliked by the Dongchi Prince—it turned out he was the one who had been hiding his true abilities. A glint flashed in Yun Chu's mind. She had felt sorry for him back then, seeing how a barking dog could bite. But how did Gu Chengjie get involved with him? She hadn't figured that out yet.

Yun Chu rolled her eyes at him and didn't say anything.

"Someone, untie her! How can you treat our guest like this?" Dongfang said hypocritically.

"Brother Dongfang!" Gu Chengjie tried to stop him, but Dongfang waved his hand.

Then a guard came up and untied Yun Chu's ropes.

Yun Chu rubbed her wrists, which were red from being bound by ropes, and remained silent.

"This way, young lady," Dongfang said, pointing in the direction.

"Are we changing rooms?" Yun Chu wondered to herself.

The moment Yun Chu stepped out the door, a gust of cold wind swept over her, carrying the chill of the night and an unknown solemnity. Outside, dozens of lithe guards dressed in black stood, their eyes sharp as eagles, their longswords gleaming coldly in the moonlight. However, this was only the tip of the iceberg. Yun Chu knew that many more figures were hidden in the shadows. These hidden guards, like ghosts in the night, were elusive and far more dangerous.

Then she even saw Xi Yue. Sure enough, it must have been Xi Yue who saved Gu Chengjie back then.

It seems that running away is out of the question; she simply can't defeat these people.

Dongfang led her into a room where a dazzling array of dishes were laid out on the table.

"Please sit down, young lady."

Yun Chu sat down and looked up at the other person.

"I'm sure you know why we invited you here. As long as you cooperate well, we will definitely treat you well," Dongfang said with a fake smile.

"Oh, may I ask, is this your way of treating guests?" Yun Chu said coldly.

"Somebody come!"

A guard brought someone up, and Yun Chu looked at him. Wasn't this the servant who had tied her up?

Dongfang picked up a knife and swung it, blood splattered out, and the man fell to the ground, unable to get up.

Yun Chu was stunned. This person killed someone right in front of her, which showed how cruel he was.

Dongfang picked up a handkerchief and carefully wiped her hands. "Please excuse my poor hand, young lady."

"Pervert," Yun Chu cursed inwardly.

"Are you satisfied, young lady?" Dongfang asked with a smile.

What exactly do you want?

“If you tell us where the treasure is, we will release you.”

"Tsk," Yun Chu scoffed, "Do you think I'm stupid? If I told you, you'd kill me right now."

"Ye Xingchen, I advise you to be sensible." Gu Chengjie stepped into the room.

“Brother Gu, one should treat women with tenderness and care,” Dongfang said slowly. “Whatever your request, young lady, we will try our best to fulfill it.”

“I can take you to the treasure trove, but I have conditions,” Yun Chu said calmly.

"What are the conditions?" Dongfang asked.

"First, I want clean water and clean food." Yun Chu tapped her fingers on the table. "Second, this person, stay at least ten feet away from me." Yun Chu pointed at Gu Chengjie.

"Ye Xingchen, don't push your luck!" Gu Chengjie stood up and shouted.

Dongfang patted his shoulder to comfort him.

"You'd agree so easily?" Gu Chengjie asked skeptically.

Yun Chu secretly pinched herself, then calmly said, "I'm sure you've already investigated me. You should know that I'm no longer a member of the Ye family and have no connection to the royal family. I'm just a businesswoman. I'm being used as a replacement now, and who becomes emperor is none of my business. In business, there are always conditions."

Dongfang's sharp gaze scrutinized Yun Chu. Yun Chu appeared calm on the surface, but her heart was in turmoil. She forced herself to remain composed.

“Alright, let’s talk business then,” Dongfang said. “What are your terms?”

"I want 30% of the treasure, and you must not implicate me after you get it. From this year onwards, you must have nothing to do with me and must not harass me or my friends."

"Isn't it a bit too much for the young lady?" Dongfang poured himself a cup of tea and said as he drank it.

Yun Chu sneered and looked directly eastward. "You should know that for every loss you make, you gain much more."

Dongfang finished his tea in one gulp and said with a smile, "Deal."

"Brother Dongfang!" Gu Chengjie said urgently.

Dongfang's cold gaze swept over him, and he remained silent.

"Then the young lady should rest well tonight." A moment later, everyone left and the door was locked.

Yun Chu collapsed to the ground. She quickly poured herself a cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp. Since Dongfang had just drunk it, it shouldn't be poisonous.

She was still shaken; facing such a vicious wolf had truly frightened her. But now it seemed he believed her to be about 70-80%.

In the study room.

"Brother Dongfang, how could you agree to her request?"

"Let's agree for now. We don't know if we'll live or die once we get it!"

"What do you mean?" Gu Chengjie made a killing gesture.

Dongfang Yunche smiled knowingly. This was indeed an interesting woman, but it was a pity.

As night fell, Yun Chu lay in bed, reviewing the day's events. Gu Chengjie was still alive and had even made contact with the prince of Dongchi. It seemed that these two ambitious individuals, each harboring ambitions to usurp the throne, had colluded together—truly a pair of scoundrels.

However, Dongfang Yunche is far too shrewd. How to lure them there discreetly is a huge challenge. But where there's a will, there's a way; she'll surely find a solution.

Yun Chu touched the wooden hairpin in her hair. She missed Gu Ruoxiao and wondered if he was asleep.

At this moment, Gu Ruoxiao was sitting in his study, staring at the map in his hand as if trying to see a hole in it.

"Master, Bai has sent word that they have arrived at Xuejiabao."

Gu Ruoxiao nodded. "Have you found Yun Chu's whereabouts?"

Chiwu lowered his head. "The enemy is very cunning; they split into four groups and scattered from the foot of the mountain. But don't worry, my lord, we've already arranged for people to guard Wuling City. We'll know as soon as they enter the city."

The moon is very round tonight, and its soft light pours down. Gu Ruoxiao looks up and thinks, "Yun Chu, you must be safe."