Repairing the Past

Chapter 24

The next day Chu Yao woke up alone inside that shallow tunnel. The fire that last night continued to burn warms itself now has been in the form of charcoal covered with ash.

Without waiting, Chu Yao walked out of that place with a body that was more stable than before. There was no pain in the wounds he had. Although it was still a little bruised but the herbs given by Mo Yan were powerful enough to reduce pain and make the wound dry quickly.

Chu Yao halted her steps as the tip of her eyes caught Mo Yan's steadfast figure. The man was standing not far from her and was talking to a man who was quite old.

The faces of the two men were quite serious. Chu Yao instantly felt uneasy. It was as if he had stolen the other person's talk even though he had no idea what the two people were talking about.

Chu Yao reversed the steps. Keep away from those people. He walked by the river and sat looking at the place.

By ourselves. Just like when he was waiting for his death in the village of Liba. With bone-melting poison that has torn his body contents.

Chu Yao shuddered. Automatically clutching himself with both hands. If in the past it was his mother and half-sister who hurt him, now he just has to put those two people aside and look for his real suspect.

Although Ah Zheng said that the mastermind was actually the empress, yet Chu Yao still had not found the underlying motive for the woman's ruthless behavior.

Demanding all the possibilities he had discussed with Mo Yan, there was a secret that seemed to be the key to ending all the problems he faced.

If the empress used mistress Xun to make her mother commit suicide, then what advantage did the number one woman get over her mother's death?

And what did Ah Zheng mean by the empress' position as her stepmother? Was the man so insane as to say such an absurd thing?

When his mother moved to the cold pavilion, why didn't the general take any action? Despite rumors that concubine Meng had been playing crazy with other men, but general Chu was not the type to swallow the news raw. And, everyone in the general's residence knew that his mother never left the house without the father who accompanied him. The couple is always harmonious and in love with each other.

If you have to look for someone who is harmed by intimacy, it is precisely Madam Xun who is the first person to be a suspect. Not even the queen.

"Don't it all just camouflage that someone created. Are there any higher interests that either the father or the mother should take care of?" Chu Yao muttered to herself.

Chu Yao looked at the scene before her with a distant look. It was as if only his body was in that place. He was not even aware of Mo Yan's presence beside him. The man had even been standing there from a few minutes ago. Just stared silently and watched the face of the woman who was immersed in her thoughts.

"Ah, you're back. I didn't notice your presence." Said Chu Yao slightly in shock when she found that handsome figure had been beside her.

"How's Miss doing?" Mo Yan asked as he thrust out some wild fruits.

Chu Yao received the fruits and ate them without hesitation. With a mouth full of fruit, he replied, "I've been better thanks to your herbs. Um, can we get back to the capital as soon as possible?"

Mo Yan observed the master before giving an answer. He knew clearly that the girl's determination was already unanimous to return to the capital. Although the condition is not completely healthy as before.

"We can go home, whenever the lady wants." Mo Yan replied with a slightly raised corner of his lips.

The handsome man almost let out a smile when he saw the innocent face of Chu Yao who was enjoying her morning breakfast. The girl looked so savored that she did not realize there was any fruit left next to her lips.

The feeling of wanting to protect suddenly awoke from Mo Yan's small heart. By reflex he touched the girl's cheek and threw away the rest of the fruit there. That gentle touch made Chu Yao sculpt for an instant. His lips were silent as if hypnotized by the treatment of that beautiful-looking man.

Finally they just exchanged glances without speaking a word.

***

The residence of general Chu...

The figure of a simple girl did not seem so Chu Ling noticed. He remained busy rejoicing, enjoying each of his free momentum without any Chu Yao figures in the residence by having several tea parties with his frequency-dwelling friends.

He feels very free. It was as if she was the only powerful miss in all the pavilions. After being satisfied partying, he will go to the spring pavilion to just indulge with his mother.

This afternoon, the oval-faced woman returned to visit her mother. Not to forget he brought some cakes that he had bought before. The two maids who followed him were barely able to balance their steps due to the cake plates they were carrying.

As soon as he arrived at the door of the room, Chu Ling discovered that his mother was reading a letter. A loving smile was engraved clearly on the middle-aged woman's face. Chu Ling could guess if the letter must have come from her father or elder brother.

"What good news is there that my beautiful mother looks so happy?" Tempted Chu Ling when madam Xun folded the letter paper.

The mother smiled and fondly stroked her daughter's hair.

"That's a letter from your father. After a long time he would finally return home with Chu Zhan. And you should know that your Majesty has bestowed a marriage for your brother with Chang Le's daughter. A big party is going to happen in our residence."

"really?! Then I'll help mom prepare for brother Zhan's wedding. I'll make the princess have no regrets about marrying your sister."

Madam Xun chuckled, "you are indeed sweet-mouthed. I hope there's no chaos on that happy day."

"Are you worried about Chu Yao's behavior?"

Chu Ling guessed precisely. The look on his mother's face immediately darkened and unconsciously his right hand stroked the left arm that had been injured by his stepson.

"Mom need not worry, did not mother have sent some letters to complain about this matter to father." Said Chu Ling encouragingly to the mother.

"Really... But.. " I don't know why doubt covers the woman's heart. Although she had tried to provoke her husband, there was no response she received.

In previous letters, General Chu never mentioned his eldest daughter. Not defending, not blaming. The old man always diverted by telling him about their development at the border.

"No! It'sit's nothing. It's just excessive thinking. Oh right, have you heard from the cold pavilion? These days I haven't heard any weird reports about that bad boy."

"It looks like he's not in his pavilion. I heard that the rancid girl went looking for herbs on the mountain a few days ago. Looks like he's again studying medical science from some book in the hall of life."

Chu Ling drew closer and held her mother's hand, "does mother have any new plans?"

"Bas on you." Madame Xun gently nudged her son's forehead.

He thought for a moment as if weighing every word he would say.

"A few days ago eunuch Han delivered some gifts from the empress. Among them were ten servants who had also worked to serve him."

"Oh, yesterday I saw them as they passed in the corridor. I thought you had bought them at the slave sale."

Madam Xun nodded her head, "really, they are a gift from her noble consort. His highness also ordered the two servants to stay in the cold pavilion and serve the rancid girl."

"How is it possible? Why did the empress pay attention to Chu Yao instead? Did they know each other before?" Read Chu Ling without making the slightest pause.

"That's impossible Ling'er." Deny the mother with a doubtful tone of voice.

"It is impossible for Chu Yao to have a connection up to the Imperial palace, right mother? All this time he had only been inside his pavilion. She's never been to any meeting other than Mei'er's birthday party. But, why was it that the empress now paid special attention to him?"

Chu Ling could not help his fear. The girl thought that Chu Yao would make them miserable because she already had the support of the empress behind her.

"Mothers... What do we do?" Whine Chu Ling.

Madam Xun just kept quiet. He was immersed in his thinking. Unlike the child, Madam Xun actually put another prejudice on the actions of the empress. Although not entirely sure, the woman thought that the empress was spying on them, especially the movements of her stepson.

But for what?

***

Two days later Chu Yao and Mo Yan had returned to the General's residence. They sneaked as usual. Enter Chu Yao's private room through the window. To enter without having to make others aware of their presence, was not a difficult thing for Mo Yan.

With an above average qinggong, the formidable man brought Chu Yao into the room with just one light leap. It is so light that it does not make any sound.

"Get Xier for me. Then go back to your room and rest. Tomorrow morning I want you here before breakfast." Said Chu Yao to the personal bodyguard.

Mo Yan nodded obediently and went to fulfill the master's order. Before long Xier came with a happy face but the excitement changed when he saw the wounds on the body of the lady.

"Yes God! What happened to Miss?!" Xier asked in horror.

"I'm fine. Don't worry!" Said Chu Yao in a calm voice.

"Prepare warm water for me to take a shower. Add some herbs in it. I want to soak for a while."

Xier agreed with a grim look as he stared at the wound on Chu Yao's body. He could not stop thinking, what his master had done so that he could get such an unusual wound. Xier automatically shuddered at the thought of his pain.

"Do you want me to call Uncle Tong to check on you?"

"Yes. His call to check on Mo Yan's situation first. You can bring uncle here after I finish taking a shower. Oh yes, deliver food to Mo Yan's room. Tell him to spend it or I'll punish him."

"Well, are there any other orders?" Ask Xier before he leaves.

Chu Yao rolled her eyeballs and asked back, "Have you done what I told you before?"

"Already miss. I've bought some new clothes for Mo's bodyguard and have already hung them in a closet. I'll make sure Mo's bodyguard will wear it." Xier answered with a smile. He was very fond of the task Chu Yao had given him before the missus left a few days ago.

"Oh yes lady, in our pavilion there are two new servants. They're a gift from the empress to the lady. There were actually ten servants that the empress had sent to the residence. It's just that these two special people who are noble are given to miss. Aunt Hui put them in the back room near aunt's room. Until now we still forbid them to enter the area around the park and the private room of the lady."

Chu Yao held back her sense of shock. The empress' move was really earlier than she expected. Seeing such a noble action like this, it could be that Ah Zheng's speech that day was not just a figment.

The Empress did have a hand in her mother's death and this time the woman intended to peg all her movements.

"Hmm, is there any more information I need to hear?" Chu Yao asked when she saw that Xier again wanted to say something.

"I also heard from some servants who like to gossip, it seems like the Great Master and the young master will be back soon. The young master had also been betrothed to princess Chang Le by his imperial highness. Reportedly their great marriage will take place in the next few months at the General's residence. The second miss has even started to help the mistress prepare for the welcome and the wedding party from yesterday. "Light Xier while remembering.

This news was not new news anymore to Chu Yao. In his former life, Chu Zhan and daughter Chang Le were indeed married. It was just that their wedding party was held directly in the Imperial palace hall. Not in the residence of General Chu is like the current plot of life.

After explaining the situation enough, Xier regained his retreat and immediately prepared a bath for the master.

Chu Yao who was already feeling somewhat tired was intending to close her eyes for a moment while waiting for Xier to call out to her. For now, all he needed was some food, some rest and some medicine. The rest he will take care of when his health recovers as usual.