Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 351 Man is about to die
Yes, who can guarantee that they will never be moved by a bowl of porridge, a lamp, a piece of clothing, or a gentle word on an ordinary day?
He knew his health was deteriorating, and sometimes he wondered if this was retribution.

During his long illness, Sun Quan visited him every day, and the dark circles under his eyes and the anxiety and worry in his eyes were impossible to hide.

Whether it was military reports on the three-front war in Jingzhou or news of Qiao Wei relayed back to Youxuan.

He held Sun Quan's hand and admonished him to be patient and to avoid arrogance and impetuosity in order to strike a decisive blow. He had always been the most patient person, but now he needed to be reminded of this again and again.

It wasn't until a secret report came from Jingzhou that the news that Liu Biao had sent Cai Mao to Changsha was confirmed.

Sun Quan told Zhou Yu his plan, and Zhou Yu wrote down another plan on paper: "Stealing the beams and replacing the pillars".

Zhou Yu knew that he could not let Qiao Wei die, otherwise Qiao Rong would be even more heartbroken and unable to forgive him if she found out.

He didn't want to end up with Qiao Rong having a blood feud.

Moreover, he had ulterior motives; he wanted to use saving Qiao Wei's life to get a chance to see Qiao Rong.

The bluish-gray curtains swayed slightly, and a cabinet beside them held many ceramic medicine bottles. The herbal medicine by the bedside was still steaming.

As the steam dissipated slightly, Sun Quan stepped into the room from outside, took Qiao Wei's hand, and said, "When I returned to my tent, I found you weren't there. I wondered where you had gone again. It turns out you came to visit your brother Zhong."

"Brother Zhong, are you feeling any better today?"

Zhou Yu sensed that things were not going well. His body had suddenly deteriorated to this point, and he knew that fate was something that human beings could not control.

Gu Lingchen described Zhou Yu's condition after taking the medicine in detail, recording everything from how much food and water he ate and how many hours he slept.

I ate less food than yesterday.

This doesn't bode well.

Sun Quan's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to speak but then stopped. He had military matters he wanted to hear Zhou Yu's opinion on, but those who were ill should avoid overexertion, and Sun Quan really couldn't bear to do so.

"My lord, please speak frankly. Even now, when the ruler and his ministers can still discuss matters before each other at the bedside, I do not know how many more days I, with my frail body, can serve you."

Sun Quan frowned, "Brother Zhong!"

In all the years they had known each other, Sun Quan had never heard such sorrowful and poignant words from him.

Zhou Yu forced a bitter smile and said, "The important matter is of utmost importance. My lord need not worry. Even if I cannot share your burdens, I am happy to hear your words."

Sun Quan and Zhou Yu were about to discuss military matters, so Gu Lingchen excused herself. Qiao Wei was also about to leave the room, but Sun Quan held her hand and she couldn't move. She looked up at Sun Quan, and after a while, Sun Quan released her hand.

He whispered, "Yourou specially bought some of your favorite foods. They're in the tent. Rest well and don't wander around."

Qiao Wei said she understood.

As the autumn evening faded, a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness, but this comfort was mixed with the stench of blood.

Gu Lingyun followed Qiao Wei half a step behind and saw Qiao Wei out.

With reddened eyes, she stammered, "Madam...Mistress Qiao..."

"Who is Qiao Xiaofu?" Qiao Wei didn't like others using that title to refer to Qiao Rong, as she had no connection with the Zhou family anymore.

Gu Lingyun sighed and said, "I was referring to Madam's younger sister, the young lady of the Qiao family."

Qiao Wei immediately became alert; Gu Lingyun was probably here to act as an intermediary for Zhou Yu. Gu Lingyun had played a role in Qiao Rong's smooth escape from the Zhou family. Qiao Wei understood her ulterior motives.

If Qiao Rong were still in the Zhou family, with Zhou Yu's favor and the support of her maternal family, including Qiao Wei, the wife of a marquis, she would undoubtedly be the best choice for Zhou Yu's second wife.

Gu Lingyun could only remain Zhou Yu's concubine.

Therefore, the Gu family probably hopes that Qiao Rong will never return to the Zhou family.

"Madam, there's no need to look at me like that. It's not the general's intention, but rather that the general's thoughts are causing him constant anxiety in his sleep, and I can't bear to see him like that."

The general, being a man, was too proud to speak certain things, so his concubine had to do it. Even though the lady was unwilling to admit it, the young lady and the general had indeed shared a past relationship.

Now that you, Madam, have witnessed the General's condition, this is already a great favor from you. May I allow my daughter to come and see him, so as to comfort the General?"

When a person is about to die, it can be considered that all the grudges and debts of a lifetime have been settled.

No matter what grudges or past grievances there are, they all become trivial matters in the face of life and death, don't they?

“If we remain entangled, it will give others a handle to use against us. Since I brought her out of Shuxian, I cannot let her come back.” Qiao Wei refused resolutely.

Gu Lingyun knew that Qiao Wei had always been very protective of her younger sister, and that she couldn't persuade her with words.

"I understand what you mean, madam. I just want you to send a letter to the young lady to inform her of the general's current situation. Even if there is no marital bond, the young lady should know about this matter based on the relationship between you and the general. If that day ever comes, it will be out of kinship."

"Of course, if the young lady has no feelings for the general, she won't come to Wancheng to visit him. This way, the general will know and give up, ceasing any further futile attempts to entangle her."

The wind in Wancheng grew stronger, whistling past the ground and raising clouds of dust.

"When you were facing death in Xinye, did you not have anyone you longed to see?"

Gu Lingyun's voice rang in my ears.

Qiao Wei fell silent.

"After you arrived in Wancheng, the situation in the army was complicated. Many people opposed you sending troops to rescue your wife, but only the general supported you."

She even offered advice to the lord while she was ill; what she sought, the lady should understand.

If the lady truly dies among the enemy troops, and the young lady learns that the general refused to come to her aid, the general fears there will be no turning back for her.

Every word is full of affection, yet it is a woman's words expressing her husband's feelings for another woman.

"I heard that the Commander of the Central Guard treats you very coldly, yet you always think of him in every way." Qiao Wei was somewhat puzzled.

Gu Lingyun's eyebrows drooped slightly. "Although there is no romantic love between me and the general, the general has never mistreated me. I am well-fed and clothed and have a certain level of dignity."

The general also wrote a will stating that if he were to die young, he would allow his concubine to remarry into the Zhou family.

"Unlike you, my wife, I have no ability to assist my husband. With food and clothing as we are, what more could I possibly want?"

Qiao Wei sized up the woman in front of him. She always presented herself as weak and frail, but no matter how weak she was, a woman who could fight her way out of her own home was never as simple as she appeared on the surface.

“You can go back and tell the Central Guard that I will write a letter,” Qiao Wei replied after a long pause. “But you said something wrong just now.”

You are far more capable than you think. While this is only partly true, it demonstrates a keen understanding of human weaknesses; if this era allowed, you might very well achieve great things as an envoy.