Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

"Master, you must trust Miss Yun Chu," Chi Wu advised.

“Yes,” Chengfeng quickly agreed.

Having sat for a long time, Gu Ruoxiao had regained his composure and rationality. Since he couldn't save her, he couldn't hold her back. He stood up and walked to his desk, asking, "Is the eldest prince of Dongchi still leading troops at the border?"

"Yes, news came this morning that General Shen is leading his troops to fight them in the icy marsh."

"Hmph, his own backyard is on fire, yet he still has the mood to start fires outside. Well then, I'll give him a big gift." Gu Ruoxiao picked up her pen and quickly wrote on the paper.

During dinner, Yun Chu sat at the table and ate her meal with an open and generous air. Dongfang watched her from the table, while Gu Chengjie drank tea in the seat opposite him.

"Where is the treasure in Wuling City?" Dongfang asked.

"Next stop, Sishui Town," Yun Chu said without looking to the side, picking up another bite of food with her chopsticks.

"You're kidding me!" Gu Chengjie jumped up.

"Did I say something wrong? Don't you have to pass through Wuling City to get to Sishui Town?" Yun Chu put down her chopsticks and raised an eyebrow.

"After Sishui Town, is there a next stop?" Dongfang asked sinisterly.

"Guess!" Yun Chu replied dismissively.

Smash! Gu Chengjie angrily smashed his teacup and stormed out the door.

Dongfang gripped the teacup in his hand tightly and said coldly, "You should know the consequences of lying to me."

Yun Chu looked up at him directly and said, "I'm just a businesswoman. If you trust me, we can cooperate well."

"I hope you keep your word." Dongfang got up and left, the teacup he had just been holding now reduced to powder on the dining table. He couldn't touch her yet, after all, the direction was still in her hands.

Yun Chu clenched her fists. She had just gambled, and fortunately, fate was on her side; she had won. She glanced at the white silk ribbon around her waist. Now that they were inside the city, the guards must have spotted her and Gu Chengjie. She hoped Gu Ruoxiao would see the ribbon and not impulsively rush to her rescue.

The next day, Dongchi's forces set off for Sishui Town as usual. Dongfang now had no choice but to either kill Yun Chu and take the treasure, or follow her orders.

Sishui Town was quite far, and it took them a day and a night to reach it. Everyone was exhausted from the journey. They quickly bought an inconspicuous courtyard for a hefty sum, as staying at an inn was too risky.

"Is there another stop?" Gu Chengjie asked angrily from the doorway.

Yun Chu rolled her eyes at him. "Hmm. I'm tired. I'll tell you tomorrow morning." With that, she slammed the door shut, infuriating Gu Chengjie outside.

Yun Chu sat down behind the door. She was indeed a little tired, having been on guard against this group of people all day. Fortunately, they were almost at Xuejiabao, where Gu Ruoxiao should be all ready.

These past few nights, Yun Chu has been lying in bed too afraid to sleep soundly, waking up at the slightest sound. She is utterly exhausted.

There seemed to be some movement coming from the courtyard. Yun Chu quietly got up, poked a hole in the paper window, and looked outside. By the moonlight, he saw two people standing in the courtyard: one was Dongfang Yun Che, and the other was a man in black whom he didn't recognize. They were talking in hushed tones.

“Master, you must go back this time,” the man in black said.

"Why did my eldest brother suddenly return to the city?" Dongfang asked.

"I don't know. But His Majesty has summoned you back, and I've heard from people in court that they're preparing to establish an heir. My lord, this is a serious matter, we must go back," the man in black said urgently.

Dongfang Yunche looked towards Yun Chu's room, and Yun Chu quickly hid herself. On one side was a treasure that was about to be within her grasp, and on the other was the inevitable matter of establishing an heir.

Dongfang Yunche frowned and made a decision, "We'll set off in half an hour. If we make it in time, we might be able to get back before they reach their last stop."

The next morning, when Yun Chu was having breakfast, she discovered that Dongfang was gone, along with half of the guards.

She took a bite of her steamed bun and asked, "Where's Dongfang?"

Gu Chengjie slammed the knife down in front of Yun Chu. "This is none of your business. Where are we going next?"

Yun Chu glanced at him sideways.

"Don't think I'm as easy to talk to as Dongfang."

"Xue Family Fortress," Yun Chu said.

Having obtained the address, Gu Chengjie immediately gave his orders. Although he was allied with Dongfang Yunche, and although they both desired the supreme position, Gu Chengjie held Dongfang Yunche in contempt. He felt that a bastard could not compare to him, a person of legitimate blood. If he weren't currently lacking manpower and resources, why would he have told him about the treasure? Now that Dongfang Yunche had to leave, this was his opportunity; no one could blame him. As for the people he left behind, with Xi Yue present, they were out of luck. Gu Chengjie cunningly plotted.

The journey from Sishui Town to Xuejiabao takes a day and a half. That night, they stayed in a local house as usual.

However, Gu Chengjie didn't say much to Yun Chu tonight. He just left a sinister message: "After I deal with them, I'll deal with you." With that, he left and locked the door.

Yun Chu pondered his scheme, but fortunately, they would arrive at Xuejiabao tomorrow. As long as they could endure another half day, there was still hope.

That night, Yun Chu witnessed the sounds of killing coming from the courtyard.

Initially, Xi Yue drugged the men Dongfang had left behind, then tied them all up in the courtyard, trying to coerce and bribe them into submitting to Gu Chengjie and becoming loyal to him. However, several of these were Dongfang's trusted confidants who had inadvertently fallen for Gu Chengjie's trap. They shouted that they would rather die than submit. Xi Yue swiftly drew his blade, and all of them were killed. Only a dozen or so remained, lying on the ground begging for their lives. Indeed, who wouldn't want to live? Besides, Dongfang was ruthless; it didn't matter who he served.

The spurting blood stunned Yun Chu. She covered her mouth to stifle a sound, her whole body trembling with fear. She had witnessed Gu Chengjie's evil side; he was simply a demon.

After the murder, Gu Chengjie kicked open Yun Chu's door and grinned sinisterly at her, "You saw that, didn't you?"

Yun Chu leaned against the wall in silence, her whole body ice-cold and trembling.

"If you know what's good for you, you'd better lead me to the treasure, or they'll end up like you." With that, he turned and left.

Yun Chu slumped to the ground, utterly exhausted. She closed her eyes; she thought she was safe for the night. But right now, she missed Gu Ruoxiao terribly. She buried her head in her knees and hugged herself tightly.

The equally cunning and treacherous Dongfang Yunche hadn't anticipated these events. He had assumed that Gu Chengjie wouldn't act rashly, at least not before obtaining the treasure, as he still needed manpower. He had already arranged for his trusted confidants to kill and silence witnesses upon seeing the treasure. However, Gu Chengjie had acted first. At this moment, Dongfang Yunche was completely unaware, as he was on his way to the Eastern Capital.