Chapter 1200 – To Attack Xu Pei, The First Kill of the Lords (Seventy)
” cough cough cough—Wen Bin—”
“Did we win? Or did we lose?”
Xu Pei looked haggard and pale, with deep dark circles under his eyes, blood vessels webbing the whites. His forehead was wrapped in a gray cloth. Yang Si had angered him greatly, and with Xu Pei’s sensitive and thoughtful nature, his condition did not improve after lying in bed; instead, it worsened rapidly.
He seemed utterly drained, finding it difficult even to turn over and sit up.
With his frail hand, he gripped Han Yu’s hand tightly, pulling himself to face him, his wide eyes glistening with desire and urgency.
Xu Pei licked his dry, cracked lips, hoarsely saying, “Wen Bin, tell me!”
Han Yu, dressed in a deep blue scholar’s robe, knelt beside Xu Pei’s bed with an upright posture, his calm gaze carrying a chilling weight.
Whether it was the lighting in the room or just an illusion, Xu Pei noticed that Han Yu’s hair was no longer as dark and smooth as it once was, instead carrying a hint of dullness. Xu Pei couldn’t help but grip Han Yu’s right hand tighter, staring intently at his lips, hoping they would speak good news.
Han Yu remained silent for a long while, the two of them stalemated in this silence.
Silence speaks louder than words.
Though Han Yu hadn’t given an answer, Xu Pei already understood.
“Is it, is it a loss—so that’s how it is—”
Xu Pei released his grip, and his body fell back onto the bed, no longer propped up.
He stared blankly at the ceiling, his already weak body feeling even more fatigued, as if someone was pulling him down.
“If I had known it would come to this so soon, it seems I underestimated Lan Ting—” Xu Pei’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, his expression oddly serene, devoid of the intense emotions from days prior. He asked, “Are they coming to attack?”
Only then did Han Yu speak, “The enemy has already begun their assault. The defenses in the city are weak, and the supplies are insufficient. It seems we won’t be able to hold out until sunset.”
Xu Pei turned to Han Yu; even this simple action looked somewhat laborious.
“Wen Bin, you and I are bound by feudal loyalty; there’s one thing… Pei humbly requests, and I hope you will consider it seriously…” Xu Pei gasped for air, his voice weak, “Zhejun has already fallen into Lan Ting’s hands, but the old and young in the manor are still unaccounted for. Pei is quite concerned… If you still have the strength, please look out for them in the future, just ensure their lives. That way, I can rest in peace even underground.”
Han Yu gazed deeply at Xu Pei, “Lord—”
“There’s no need to persuade me; I know what choice to make. If I yield to Lan Ting, given her temperament, she would likely confine me as a mere idler. As long as I stay quiet, my life would be carefree, but that isn’t what I seek—” Xu Pei coughed a few times, the calm light in his eyes shimmering with a crimson hue, as if hiding a fearsome beast; his gaze was resolute and determined, “Furthermore—ha, Xu Lingwen had the courage to fight to the death, how could I be one to fear for my life? If I were to indulge in cowardice now, I would only end up being mocked by him!”
Han Yu’s lips pressed tight, his complexion growing even paler, as if coated in a thick layer of ashen white, exuding a sense of deathly silence.
“Got it!”
Hearing Han Yu’s promise, Xu Pei’s sallow cheeks showed a faint blush, as if infused with life.
He attempted to rise, and Han Yu reached out to assist him.
“Wen Bin, please prepare some writing materials for me; I’ll need you to deliver a family letter later—”
Han Yu fetched the writing materials for him. Xu Pei’s hands trembled as he picked up the brush, but just as the tip was about to touch the surface, it fell with a loud clatter onto the table, ink splattering in several dark circles. Gritting his teeth, he picked up the brush again; this time, it didn’t fall, but the characters he wrote appeared weak and feeble.
Instead of a family letter, it would be more accurate to call it Xu Pei’s will.
The letter contained no special content, urging his son to study diligently and grow up to be a pillar for the people and the state; reminding his daughter not to forget the teachings of her parents and elders, to honor her in-laws and respect her mother after marriage; advising his wife to manage the household well, and if she finds a suitable man in the future, she could take half of the family assets to remarry, without delaying her youth.
By the time Xu Pei completed the last stroke, it drained him of nearly all his strength.
Han Yu silently helped dry the letter, sealing it with hot wax and placing it in an envelope.
“You’ve worked hard these years.”
Xu Pei felt as if a weight had been lifted, hunching over at the table as he watched Han Yu place the letter into his embrace.
Han Yu replied, “It’s no trouble.”
For Han Yu, past experiences were just attempts, victories or defeats alike; they were invaluable lessons.
Only after he had been thoroughly dashed and learned a lesson could he avoid the same pitfalls in the future.
Xu Pei’s lips moved, his dry eyes glimmering with the hint of tears, yet he couldn’t utter a single word.
The bright sun began to lean toward the west, and Xu Pei said quietly, “Wen Bin, you should go now; I want to be alone for a bit.”
Han Yu rose silently, pausing at the door.
“Xin Zhao still remembers that fateful day at the pavilion, when you and I discussed the state of the world, expressing our thoughts; what had you promised back then?”
Xu Pei paused, his sluggish mind taking a moment to catch up.
He struggled to dig up that memory and uncertainly said, “To admire the magnificent mountains and rivers together?”
Without turning back, Han Yu replied, “Xin Zhao remembers, but is now about to break that promise?”
“Please, Wen Bin, take a look on my behalf.” Xu Pei forced a bitter smile, “If Lan Ting seizes the throne, remember to tell me at my grave.”
If he were to lose to someone like this, his death would not be in vain.
Although Xu Pei hailed from a noble family, he too desired peace in the world; now, it seemed, he might not witness it.
Han Yu’s gaze darkened a couple of shades.
“Alright.”
Not long after Han Yu left, he bumped into Cheng Xun, stained in blood.
“Where’s the Lord?”
Han Yu replied, “Inside.”
Cheng Xun sized Han Yu up, and suddenly, everything clicked.
“Why didn’t you persuade the Lord to break through?” Cheng Xun bit his back teeth in anger, “Han Wen Bin, I once respected you, but now I realize I must have been blind. As a loyal subject, you should be devoted to your Lord; in times of crisis, you wish to let him go. What are you doing in this position?”
Han Yu calmly stated, “I’ve done my best.”
The final card had been played, but they still couldn’t eliminate Liu Xi, and defeat was already sealed.
Cheng Xun’s fury did not diminish; seeing Han Yu’s cold response only fueled his anger further, shouting, “If the Lord is disgraced, so must his subjects die! Are you Han Yu so afraid of death? The enemy has not yet entered the city, and you’ve already plotted an escape, trying to ingratiate yourselves with the Liu Thief?”
Han Yu coldly turned his gaze toward Cheng Xun.
“Reputation is but an external matter; I need not care how others perceive me. If you deem me one who fears death, I have nothing more to say.”
Cheng Xun’s fingers quivered with rage.
“You have betrayed the Lord’s trust!”
Han Yu replied, “As long as I am true to myself, that is enough. I have no regrets.”
