MLIAM Chapter 85

Chapter 85: The Union of the General and the Prime Minister: I can help you save him, but you must sell yourself to me…

Wei Yan grabbed Yu Shuli’s hand and looked at the Imperial Guard leader, “Did His Majesty request both of us to see him?”

The leader didn’t specify who, but just produced the Imperial Decree: “This is the order from the Palace. Please do not make things difficult for us, my lord.”

Wei Yan took the Imperial Decree and glanced at it, smiling. “Alright, I’ll go to the Palace with you.”

The leader was stunned: “No! The Duke of Zhen must also come with us!”

Wei Yan shook his head: “This Imperial Decree only mentions the attempted assassination of the former Crown Prince, and that I have long-standing grudges with others, coupled with today’s disrupted wedding, which makes me a suspect. However, it does not mention that the Duke of Zhen is a suspect. His Majesty has not even issued an order to arrest him, and you want to forcibly take action? Who gave you the authority?”

The leader was intimidated and stammered, “But His Majesty has given an oral decree…”

“Is that so?” Wei Yan’s deep pupils stared into his eyes: “Are you sure?”

Yu Shuli smiled and patted the Imperial Guard on the shoulder: “Please trouble this brother. If His Majesty truly wants to see me, then issue a new Imperial Decree. At that time, you won’t even need to invite me, I will honestly go to the Palace.”

The leader hesitated a few times, looked at the Northwest army staring intently behind Yu Shuli, and swallowed his saliva: “Alright, then I’ll go ask again.”

Wei Yan nodded, stepped forward to leave with the man, and looked back at Yu Shuli, comforting him: “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. It’s just a formality, His Majesty is just asking routine questions.”

Yu Shuli’s smile completely disappeared after the man left.

“Someone, follow me to the Second Prince’s Residence.” He instructed to the rear: “Zhong Nian, arrange for people to settle our families properly. Please ask Physician Yang to stay temporarily in the Prime Minister’s Residence, and ask him not to go home or back to the palace for the time being. The Crown Prince’s matter still requires his attention. If there are any errors in the above, I will hold you accountable.”

“General…” Zhong Nian scratched his head, hesitant to speak: “That… Yu Miaomiao…”

Zhong Nian could understand taking care of the family, but he was a little unsure about this Yu family member who had come specifically to stir up trouble.

“What? Is she not a member of the Yu family?” Yu Shuli glanced at him.

Zhong Nian “ah”hed: “But she slandered Prime Minister Wei like that…”

“You said it was slander.” Yu Shuli said lightly, “Then naturally someone instructed her to do so.”

He looked ahead, his eyes full of coldness: “Since someone instructed her, naturally we cannot let her escape easily. If you don’t keep a good eye on her, wouldn’t that give others an opportunity?”

“This…” Zhong Nian asked cautiously: “Then this… is to keep her under guard and take good care of her?”

“Just don’t let her die.”

Yu Shuli left these words behind and set off for the Second Prince’s Residence.

Ding Sheng rushed in from outside, found Zhong Nian and asked, “Where is the young general?”

“He went to find the Second Prince.” Zhong Nian said, “You came at the right time, what do you think we should do with this Miss Yu?”

“What did the general say?”

“The general said just don’t let her die.” Zhong Nian was a little unsure: “Does this mean that he is standing firmly on Prime Minister Wei’s side, and completely abandoning the meaning of his second elder sister?”

Ding Sheng “um”med: “The things that happened at that time, after all, only the parties involved know best. It is also common to know people’s faces but not their hearts. But if Prime Minister Wei… I always feel that if he wanted to force someone, he wouldn’t have forced that Yu Miaomiao. How long has he been fond of our general? If he really wanted to force someone, would our general still be a virgin until now? Therefore, when this matter just came out, I also believed Prime Minister Wei more. The young general has a deep relationship with him, so it is natural to trust him.”

“Tsk… to be honest, the young general is not a virgin anymore…”

The movement in the military camp that day… who doesn’t know?!

“That’s not the point.” Ding Sheng interrupted: “The main point is that if Prime Minister Wei wants to make a move, then it must be insidious seduction, or using his beauty to bewitch, getting a set of force, it feels very unlike him. The young general even suspected him because of this back then, I didn’t even know that they would break up because of this… tsk tsk tsk… fortunately he lost his memory and his mind is clear, otherwise how many years would this have been a misunderstanding.”

Zhong Nian nodded as if he had understood something: “You are right. But Prime Minister Wei has always fallen into the young general’s arms imperceptibly, and then complained about how painful it is here and there, wanting the young general to hug and coax him. The young general later fell into this man’s love, I am afraid that most of it was coaxed by this kind of sweet talk, after all, he is good-looking. Such a person pouting his mouth and blinking his eyes, there will be women rushing to follow, where is there any reason to engage in coercion? I didn’t expect that Prime Minister Wei would rather bite the bullet and not mention the past in order to protect the young general…”

Ding Sheng “um”med: “For the sake of the young general’s reputation, and also because he can live with it in his heart. After all, Yu Miaomiao is the second elder sister who has taken care of him since childhood, and close people not only plot to stab him in the back, but also intimate together just to rob a man… if you say it out… how can the young general be a person?”

“Perhaps… there are still hidden secrets in the past, but Prime Minister Wei concealed it and didn’t say it. Also, he doesn’t need to tell us about such things, anyway, it is enough to clear his grievances.” Zhong Nian sighed: “You said, how could a good, high-ranking Prime Minister be so infatuated with a man like the young general for so many years? I really don’t understand, why are hard men better to touch than soft women?”

Ding Sheng knocked him on the head, “This is not your concern.”

“In short, this Miss Yu’s words are untenable from beginning to end now, and even if there is no follow-up trial, Prime Minister Wei will finally be innocent.” He said: “I think the young general is keeping her, there must be his intentions. Or it is just pure reluctance, I heard that this second Miss, really treated the young general very well when she was young. After all, she didn’t make any big mistakes, she was just jealous and robbed a man, and the young general didn’t suffer any harm, and she herself got her retribution. Our young general is nostalgic and soft-hearted… maybe… still willing to spare her once.”

“Hey… these people, they are always complex and changeable. No matter how good they were in the past, they may have to stab people in the back for their own self-interest.” Zhong Nian shifted the topic back to the main point, and asked, “Why are you back? Has there been any progress on the person who assassinated the Crown Prince?”

Ding Sheng nodded: “Yes, I was just about to find the young general to report this matter. That kid Mu Shaoyang didn’t catch anyone alive.”

Zhong Nian disappointedly “ah”hed: “Let the person run away?”

“Caught a dead one.” Ding Sheng sighed: “He took poison in advance, and when Mu Shaoyang caught up, the corpse was about to stiffen.”

Zhong Nian stamped his foot: “It must be the Crown Prince’s side maliciously plotting.”

“Doesn’t seem like it.” Ding Sheng said: “I saw the news from the group of imperial physicians who arrived, saying that although the Crown Prince is currently out of danger, he is still unconscious. The arrow is right on his chest, and if he develops a high fever and gets infected, he will be in critical danger this time. No one would gamble their own life on these things.”

Yu Shuli came to find the Second Prince, naturally also knowing this reason.

No one would gamble their life to bring down Wei Yan and Yu Shuli.

So the assassination was not directed and acted by the Crown Prince himself.

Then the person who could have done it is obvious.

Yu Shuli called at the Second Prince’s Residence for half a day before someone finally came out from inside.

Yu Shuli hurried over, but saw that the person who came was Dai Meng.

He couldn’t bother to ask why Dai Meng was here, he just went up to meet him, and anxiously asked, “Where is Your Highness? Did you just come out from him?”

Dai Meng nodded: “I was just about to find the Duke of Zhen.” He said: “A-Lan wants to see you.”

Yu Shuli’s mouth twitched: “A-Lan?”

Dai Meng “um”hed: “Has Your Highness mentioned it to the Duke of Zhen? I am his previous lover who cannot be brought to the table.”

Yu Shuli “oh”hed, Wei Yan did tell him about the two of them.

But finally hearing the person admit it, Yu Shuli still felt dazed, these two people… looked like they matched and didn’t match.

“You… you joined the army specifically for the sake of the Second Prince?”

Dai Meng nodded: “Now I have finally coaxed him back, thank you for your care these past few days, young general.”

“It’s good that you guys have reconciled.” Yu Shuli was too lazy to care about these things, and hurriedly pulled Dai Meng: “Then quickly take me in.”

Dai Meng released Yu Shuli’s hand calmly, and reminded him: “Duke of Zhen, you must not move your hands and feet, if A-Lan sees it, I will have to explain it for a long time.”

“Don’t worry, the Second Prince is not such a petty person.”

“But your Prime Minister Wei is.” Dai Meng said, “A-Lan will tell Prime Minister Wei after seeing it, you don’t want your own life to be difficult, right?”

Yu Shuli stammered a few words, and kept his distance from Dai Meng awkwardly. “Your self-control to keep a distance even from men is really terrifying…”

“It’s all honed by time.” Dai Meng quickly led the man in.

Yu Shuli observed the strict precautions throughout the residence, and the expression on his face also became serious.

Zhao Lan was waiting for them inside. When he saw the man coming, he quickly dismissed the hidden guards and motioned for Yu Shuli to sit down.

Before Yu Shuli could open his mouth, he said, “Don’t worry, I have checked, Wei Yan was taken into the palace, and Wan Yan Jun acted first and reported later. His father was still asleep at the time, and Consort Xian was accompanying him. The two of them didn’t have much force, so they were obtained. This matter is also my fault. At that time, Wan Yan Jun left at your wedding banquet. I was not at ease, so I followed him, but I was temporarily held back by other things, and when I followed, the news of the Crown Prince’s assassination had already spread. I chased after him, but I saw that the fake Imperial Decree had already been handed over to the Imperial Guards. To prevent alarming the snake, I could only find Dai Meng to come over first.”

Yu Shuli nodded: “Don’t blame Your Highness, that Wan Yan Jun is too cunning!” He said hatefully: “Does he want to rebel now?”

“That’s why I’m looking for you.” Zhao Lan said seriously: “Ji An, we have to strike early.”

Yu Shuli hesitated slightly: “But His Majesty and Wei Yan are both in his hands…”

The Second Prince nodded: “That’s right.” He sighed wearily: “Ji An, you should know before that my previous relationship with Wei Yan was a cooperative relationship, but later this relationship broke down.”

Yu Shuli nodded sullenly: “I know… because Wei Yan he… wanted to be the Emperor.” Yu Shuli didn’t need to hide it, presumably the Second Prince knew it clearly.

“If it was a few years ago, I would have supported him 100% if he wanted to be the Emperor.” The Second Prince said: “But now, I have spent too much time and manpower, and I have too much on my back, I can no longer give up the throne.”

This means… does he want to abandon Wei Yan?!

“Your Highness…” Yu Shuli explained in horror: “Wei Yan is not going to be the Emperor! We have no intention of rebelling!”

“Is that so?” The Second Prince smiled: “Ji An, you know that men with scheming minds rarely tell the truth.”

“No…” Yu Shuli was about to explain.

“Has Wei Yan never lied to you?” Zhao Lan hooked his lips: “Even the matter of your relationship, isn’t it all his nonsense? Now that the two of you have turned from mortal enemies to lovers, isn’t it all thanks to his nonsense?”

“But… it’s not much nonsense…” Yu Shuli stammered twice, met Zhao Lan’s sharp gaze, and lowered his head and stopped talking.

Seeing Yu Shuli bowing his head in silence, Zhao Lan continued: “I think, Wei Yan must have asked you, if I and he were to compete for power, who would you choose…”

“Your Highness…” Yu Shuli raised his head, his voice a little stagnant: “Are you, unwilling to save Wei Yan? I… I promise, is it okay? I promise he won’t rebel, if you ascend the throne, I promise to make him behave.”

When has Yu Shuli ever been so humble?

Zhao Lan sighed, and Yu Shuli’s heart trembled.

He was afraid that Wei Yan would become a pawn.

At that time, both sides don’t want him, and both sides want to kill him and then be quick, how should he deal with himself?

Wei Yan has been planning for more than ten years, entering the game with his body, and in the end, he is infected with several poisons, and he gets a reputation as a traitorous official. Even the allies who once advanced together are going to turn their swords against him…

Yu Shuli suddenly understood why he was willing to accept the breakup and alienate himself after being misunderstood by himself for those few years.

He was afraid that his reputation would implicate him, and afraid of dragging him down.

Wei Yan’s life has been too bitter.

Abandoned by his father, abandoned by the Emperor, abandoned by his allies…

He can accept the loss calmly, so he is hysterical in various ways when he has it.

But Yu Shuli is not such a person who can accept the loss calmly. In his heart, people who can walk into his heart, in any case, cannot be easily let go.

“Your Highness, it is impossible for me to give up Wei Yan…” Yu Shuli closed his eyes, and trembled his eyelashes: “What does Your Highness want to do to eliminate the estrangement with him? I guarantee with my life, if Wei Yan rebels, I will commit suicide in front of Your Highness according to military regulations…”

“I don’t need your guarantee.” Zhao Lan shook his head, was silent for a long time, and slowly said under Yu Shuli’s gaze that was about to shatter: “I can help you save him, but you sell yourself to me here, for a hundred years, how about it?”

Dai Meng’s eyes changed: “A-Lan…”

Zhao Lan glared at him: “Shut up.”

“You just want someone to sell their life, can’t I? Why do you have to think about other men?” Yu Shuli heard Dai Meng’s muttering.

Yu Shuli did not hesitate to retreat, but instead took a few steps forward and said firmly: “Your Highness, I promise you! I am willing to charge into battle for Your Highness.”

He finally breathed a sigh of relief and showed a little smile: “It’s just a hundred years, it’s enough to exchange for Your Highness’ peace of mind.”

Zhao Lan raised his eyebrows and looked over: “Is Wei Yan so important to you? I remember that you yearned for freedom the most, and you didn’t like fighting at all.”

“Yeah.” Yu Shuli trembled in his eyes, nodded a little shyly: “I didn’t know before… Now I find that I like him quite a bit.”

“Is that so? Then if you want to sign your name in the storybook of the two of you, you should be willing now, right?” Zhao Lan took out a stack of storybooks from the inside room, “Sign them, and then I will tell you how to save Wei Yan.”

“Really?” Yu Shuli took it suspiciously. At this juncture, does the Second Prince still have the leisure to do these storybooks and signatures?

“So simple?”

Yu Shuli knew that Wei Yan and the Second Prince also had a cooperative storybook business, and he had also been coaxed to sign a few times before.

But he never understood how profitable this thing could be.

He only knew that these two were making a lot of money, so he knew that the sales must be good.

He thought to himself, isn’t it just signing two names? Signing once is signing, and signing twice is also signing. First time is unfamiliar, second time is familiar. If this can bring back Wei Yan’s life, then it is too worth it.

Dai Meng’s mouth twitched when he saw this. He took a storybook at random and flipped through it, then closed it because it was annoying, and looked at Zhao Lan: “Do you spend all day and night thinking about these things? I remember that the one on the bedside yesterday was serialized in twenty-eight episodes, called something like ‘The Union of the General and the Prime Minister’. Why is this one twenty-nine?”

“Twenty-eight is the collector’s edition, not for sale. This twenty-nine has to be taken out for sale.” Zhao Lan patted his hand away: “Don’t worry about these.”

Yu Shuli sulked and took the twenty or so storybooks, and tried his best to write his name on the title page, then handed them to the Second Prince conscientiously, and asked carefully: “Is this… okay?”

Zhao Lan took it, and the corners of his mouth curved into an elegant arc: “Oh, you even signed your real name? That’s so embarrassing? If I had known, I would have brought twenty-eight over as well.”

“Ah? Can’t I sign my real name?” Yu Shuli was a little confused: “Then what should I sign?” The last time Wei Yan asked Dong Siwen to have him sign… it seemed like it was a pseudonym… but this time he was anxious and quick, and he accidentally wrote his real name.

Could it be that he can’t write his real name?

“The character name…” Zhao Lan smiled meaningfully: “But it’s okay, after all, the people also know that this story is about you and Prime Minister Wei. When the drama is arranged in the future, this palace will invite you to attend the ceremony, and you must show your face then.”

Yu Shuli was a little collapsed: “Your Highness, what do you mean… What story, storybook, drama, I’m stupid, I can’t understand, are you still going to save this person…”

“Look at how anxious you are.” Zhao Lan smiled kindly: “Wei Yan is of course fine.”

Before the voice fell, a person approached from the salute of the soldiers.

“The Second Prince has a good plan, taking advantage of my absence, bullying my people.”

A familiar voice rang out outside, and the expression on Yu Shuli’s face finally softened. He looked back in surprise: “Wei Yan!”