Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 487

Inside the military tent.

"What?"

"This is outrageous, taking advantage of others’ difficulties." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"They all say Chen Mo is lecherous, and it’s indeed true; even his subordinates are the same, trying to play matchmaker for the General and Chen Mo."

"Right, at most, we’ll fight to the death with those Jin Xia Barbarians. I’d rather die standing than live kneeling."

"..."

All the generals gathered inside the tent, and after hearing what the envoy said, they all became indignant.

However, when one of the generals mentioned fighting the Jin Xia Barbarians to the death, the tent fell silent for a moment.

Clearly, although they were angry about the matter, it was just anger. When it came to life and death, they still hoped Yue Ruyan would step forward.

After all, with the few of them, there was no way they could defeat those barbarians.

Yue Ruyan maintained a stoic expression, revealing no emotions, but her sharp brows instinctively furrowed as she asked, "Did Zuo Lianglun mention when he would let us in?"

"He said he needs to consult with the Marquis, at the earliest, it would take ten days. However, in my opinion, he is merely trying to force the General to comply," the envoy sent by Yue Ruyan replied.

Upon hearing ten days, the generals inside the tent all showed a change in expression.

Ten days?

By then, the opportunity would have been long gone.

As members of the Yue family’s army, these generals, naturally composed of Yuezhi Race, have grown accustomed to a life of luxury and naturally do not wish to die.

Each of them looked toward Yue Ruyan with hopeful eyes.

But Yue Ruyan did not tell them what they wanted to hear. Instead, she looked at the envoy, her eyes flickering slightly, and asked, "Did you explain everything to him that I mentioned to you?"

"I did." The envoy hesitated for a moment and then thought, since this would be exposed sooner or later, perhaps confessing now might earn leniency. He gritted his teeth and kneeled down with a thud:

"General, it’s all my fault for telling Zuo Lianglun that the General greatly admires Chen Mo’s imperial mission to the North to repel foreign invaders, thinking it was just polite talk. But he seemed to take it seriously and expressed much admiration. I didn’t think much of it at the time and spoke some flattering words about Chen Mo under the General’s name..."

The envoy recounted the events while occasionally stealing glances at Yue Ruyan to gauge her reaction. In the end, he kowtowed heavily and said:

"General, it’s the fault of this little one. Whatever punishment you deem fit, this lowly one will not blame the General."

To this, Yue Ruyan just took a light breath and said, "It’s not your fault. When I sent you, I had a premonition this wouldn’t go smoothly, and indeed..."

Hearing Yue Ruyan’s words, the envoy breathed a sigh of relief, then suddenly remembered something and hurriedly added, "Oh, General, General Zuo also showed me their military’s Government Gazette, which mentioned that Chen Mo achieved a great victory in the North, killing fifty thousand elite barbarians and even slaying the barbarian leader Tie Muer. The Chen Army is now close to Youzhou, and I believe the northern war will end soon."

"What?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the generals in the tent all drew a sharp breath.

Having suffered repeated defeats against Jin Xia, they knew well the terrifying strength of the Jin Xia Army. Word was, the Eastern Army of Jin Xia had many cavalry; how did Chen Mo annihilate those barbarians?

Yue Ruyan, with her sword-like brows raised, was somewhat surprised but quickly linked it to their situation.

With such a significant defeat faced by Jin Xia’s Eastern Army, the news would surely reach Wanyan Xiaji’s ears soon. To stabilize the situation in Longyou and support the Eastern Army, they would be even more determined to eliminate her.

This point also crossed the minds of the generals in the tent, who again looked at Yue Ruyan with hopeful eyes.

Yue Ruyan still did not provide them with an answer, only saying, "I understand. Everyone, take a rest for now."

The generals looked at one another, puzzled, but soon each had their own plan.

...

In the evening, Yue Ruyan was absent-mindedly dining with her mother.

Several of Yue Ruyan’s uncles came over.

Before Yue Ruyan could take a few bites, these uncles began, "Ruyan, we heard that the envoy you sent to Shuofei County has returned. Did they propose you marry the Marquis of Pingting County as a concubine, in exchange for sheltering us?"

"What?!"

Yue Ruyan’s mother hadn’t heard Yue Ruyan mention this, and upon hearing it now, she was startled and turned to Yue Ruyan inquiringly.

"It’s true, although they didn’t state it explicitly, that’s roughly the implication," Yue Ruyan replied.

"How... how could you not tell me about this, Ruyan?"

"I didn’t want to worry you," Yue Ruyan said.

"Sister, I heard about this from Zhi’Er," Yue Ruyan’s uncle explained to her mother, then turned to Yue Ruyan, saying:

"Ruyan, whatever you do, don’t agree to it. I’ve heard that the Marquis of Pingting County is extremely lecherous, and to marry him as a concubine is like jumping into a fire pit. Even if I die, I cannot watch you suffer such a fate.

It’s fortunate that Mother just passed not long ago. Zhi’Er, Xinru, and I might still catch up."

Zhi’Er is his son, and Xinru is his wife, and when he referred to "Mother," he was talking about the Grand Dowager Yue.

Though appearing to persuade Yue Ruyan not to agree, he was essentially using the lives of his wife and son, along with the memory of Grand Dowager Yue, to emotionally blackmail Yue Ruyan.

Subsequently, Yue Ruyan’s uncles echoed similar sentiments.

"Alas... we are not afraid for our old bones. We just can’t bear to think of your newborn niece, who has a bright future ahead of her..."

"Don’t worry, Ruyan. These old bones can still move. Just say the word, and we’ll risk our lives against those Jin Xia Barbarians."

Yue Ruyan was no child and could easily discern the hidden meanings in their words. She said, "Uncle, uncles, please rest assured. Great-Grandmother entrusted the Yue family to me, and I will never let it be destroyed by my hands."

"Ruyan, you mustn’t..." Yue Ruyan’s uncle continued his feigned persuasion.

A slight smirk lifted the corner of Yue Ruyan’s mouth, a blend of self-mockery and amusement.

"Uncle, no need to say more. My mind is made up."

Unable to stand their hypocrisy any longer, Yue Ruyan left for her tent after speaking.

...

Meanwhile, at the Xiao Family.

Jiangnan wasn’t far from Huai State.

Xiao Jing received a secret letter sent by Geng Songfu.

The letter invited him to Huai State to discuss significant matters.

Xiao Quan noticed his uneasy expression and quickly asked, "Patriarch, is something the matter?"

"Prefect Geng invites me to Huai State to discuss important matters," Xiao Jing revealed without concealing.

Xiao Quan was taken aback, "Important matters? Isn’t the northern war going well? What other matters are there? Besides, didn’t you say before, patriarch, that once the young lady conceives, the Xiao Family will fully support?"

"It likely isn’t to discuss the northern issues..."