From the fake emperor to the concubine

"So what are your plans for the future?" Su Wanqing asked.

“Once Fellow Daoist Zheng has recovered, we’ll go to the core area of ​​the Tianyuan Domain,” Liu Ruyan said. “There are more opportunities there; perhaps we can find a way out.”

“The core area,” Su Wanqing murmured, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.

She paused for a moment, then said, "Miss Liu, there's something I'd like to discuss with Young Master Zheng. Would it be convenient?"

“Of course it’s convenient,” Liu Ruyan said. “Fellow Daoist Zheng is over there; go find him.”

Su Wanqing nodded, stood up, and walked towards Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi had finished meditating and was stretching his muscles. He stopped when he saw Su Wanqing walking over.

"Miss Su, is there something you need?"

“Young Master Zheng, I’d like to speak with you,” Su Wanqing said, “about the future.”

“Okay.” Zheng Yi nodded. “Let’s talk over there.”

He led Su Wanqing to a secluded corner, and the two sat down on a rock.

“Please speak, Miss Su,” Zheng Yi said.

Su Wanqing remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

“Young Master Zheng, I’d like to tell you about my grudge against the Han family first,” she said.

“You don’t need to tell me,” Zheng Yi said. “Everyone has their own secrets, and I won’t force you.”

“No, I want to say…” Su Wanqing shook her head, “You offended the Han family to save me. You have the right to know the truth.”

Zheng Yi glanced at her and finally nodded.

"My surname is Su, and I was originally the eldest daughter of the Su family," Su Wanqing said. "Although the Su family isn't a powerful force, it still enjoys some prestige in the Tianyuan Domain. Our family has been in the spirit herb business for generations, accumulating considerable wealth."

"Three months ago, Han Lie, an elder of the Han family, suddenly led a group of men to our door, accusing our Su family of harboring a fugitive and demanding a raid on our property. My father argued his case, but Han Lie killed him on the spot. Then, the Han family went on a killing spree, slaughtering the entire Su family."

At this point, Su Wanqing's voice trembled slightly, but she still forced herself to continue speaking.

"I wasn't home at the time and narrowly escaped death. By the time I got back, my house was in ruins. My parents, brothers, and relatives were all dead."

"Later I learned that Han Lie had long coveted the Su family's inheritance. The Su family possesses a unique alchemy technique, passed down from their ancestors, and it's priceless. Han Lie came specifically for that."

"Hiding a fugitive was just a pretext he made up."

After Su Wanqing finished speaking, her eyes were already red, but she held back her tears.

Zheng Yi was silent for a moment, then said, "Please accept my condolences."

"Thank you." Su Wanqing took a deep breath to calm herself. "Young Master Zheng, I'm telling you all this so you know that Han Lie will definitely not let it go after you helped me kill Han Qing. The Han family is one of the nine great families, with immense power, and you might be in danger because of me."

“I know,” Zheng Yi nodded, “but since it’s already done, I won’t regret it.”

"Young Master Zheng," Su Wanqing looked at Zheng Yi, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.

She paused for a moment, then said, "Actually, I have another idea that might help you."

"What method?" Zheng Yi asked.

“Although the Su family has declined, I still have a cousin outside,” Su Wanqing said. “His name is Lin Zhengyang, and he is a general in the Zhenbei Army with tens of thousands of soldiers under his command. If I go to him for refuge, he should take me in.”

"Moreover, given his status and position, he might be able to protect you," Su Wanqing continued. "The Zhenbei Army is one of the strongest armies in the Tianyuan Domain; even the nine great families have to give them some face. With your cousin's protection, you won't need to hide anymore."

She looked at Zheng Yi, her eyes filled with expectation: "Young Master Zheng, would you be willing to come with me to seek refuge with my cousin?"

Zheng Yi did not answer immediately, but remained silent.

He could tell that Su Wanqing genuinely wanted to help them. After all, they had offended the Han family to save her, and she felt guilty and wanted to repay them.

But he joined the Zhenbei Army
“Miss Su, thank you for your kindness,” Zheng Yi said, “but I cannot accept this suggestion.”

"Why?" Su Wanqing asked, puzzled.

“Because I don’t like being protected by others,” Zheng Yi said. “Hiding under someone else’s wing may seem safe, but in reality, you lose your freedom. Once the person protecting us has a problem, we will be in even greater danger.”

"But..." Su Wanqing wanted to say something more.

"And are you really sure your cousin will take you in?" Zheng Yi interrupted her and asked.

Su Wanqing was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"The Su family was wiped out; your cousin couldn't possibly be unaware of something this serious," Zheng Yi said. "But did he send anyone to rescue you? Did he seek justice for the Su family?"

Su Wanqing's expression changed slightly.

She truly hadn't considered this question. Her cousin was a general in the Zhenbei Army, wielding considerable power. If he truly wanted to help the Su family, how could Han Lie dare to so blatantly exterminate them?

"Maybe...maybe he doesn't know," Su Wanqing murmured, but even she felt that this reason was far-fetched.

"Even if he doesn't know, are you sure you'll be safe if you go to him now?" Zheng Yi continued. "The Han family is one of the nine great families, and they have connections with various powerful forces. How do you know the Han family has no connection with the Zhenbei Army?"

Su Wanqing's face turned even paler.

“Moreover, once you're in the open, your whereabouts will be exposed,” Zheng Yi said. “At that point, your safety will no longer be in your own control. If someone wants to harm you, you won't even have anywhere to run away.”

"But how long can we hide in the shadows?" Su Wanqing said bitterly.

“Hiding isn’t a long-term solution, I admit that,” Zheng Yi said. “But until we have sufficient strength to protect ourselves, hiding is the best option.”

He looked at Su Wanqing, his tone earnest: "Miss Su, what you need most right now is to improve your own strength. Only when you are strong can you control your own destiny. Relying on the protection of others is ultimately not a long-term solution."

Su Wanqing fell silent.

She knew Zheng Yi was right. Although her cousin was a general, she hadn't been in contact with him for many years. Back when the Su family was prosperous, her cousin would occasionally visit. Later, as the Su family gradually declined, her cousin rarely came anymore.

She was really unsure whether her cousin would take her in.

More importantly, Zheng Yi was right. If she came out into the open, it would be much easier for the Han family to deal with her. At that point, she wouldn't even have a chance to resist.

“I understand.” Su Wanqing finally nodded. “Young Master Zheng, thank you for reminding me.”

“You’re welcome,” Zheng Yi said. “Miss Su, there’s no need to rush into a decision. Your injuries haven’t fully healed yet. Rest here for a few days first. Decide what to do after you’ve thought it through.”

“Okay.” Su Wanqing nodded.

She stood up and bowed to Zheng Yi: "Young Master Zheng, thank you for your suggestion, no matter what."

"No need to be so polite," Zheng Yi said.

Su Wanqing turned and left, walking back to the stone house.

Zheng Yi watched her retreating figure, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

He could tell that Su Wanqing was a kind-hearted woman. She wanted to repay their kindness in saving her life, which was why she suggested going to live with her cousin.

But in this dog-eat-dog world, kindness is often the most fatal weakness. He hoped Su Wanqing could understand this.

In the following days, Su Wanqing indeed did not mention going to stay with her cousin again.

She seemed to have come to a decision and decided to stay here temporarily and live with Zheng Yi and the others.

Moreover, she became exceptionally diligent.

Every morning, she is the first person to get up. She will take the initiative to fetch water, start a fire, cook, and take care of everything in an orderly manner.

Zheng Bowen and the others initially wanted to stop her, saying that she was a guest and didn't need to do such rough work. But Su Wanqing insisted on helping, saying that she couldn't eat and stay for free.

“You saved my life and took me in,” Su Wanqing said. “I can’t just do nothing.”

Seeing her resolute attitude, the others stopped trying to stop her.

Su Wanqing was very efficient at her work, clearly having done housework before. Although her cooking was simple, it tasted quite good, much better than what Zheng Bowen and the others made.

"I never expected Miss Su to have such culinary skills," Zheng Bowen exclaimed, eating the roasted meat Su Wanqing had made. "It tastes much better than mine."

“When I was at home, I often helped my mother cook,” Su Wanqing said with a smile. “Back then, I found cooking tedious, but looking back now, it was the happiest time of my life.”

As she said this, a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

Zheng Yi saw it all but said nothing.

He knew that the pain in Su Wanqing's heart couldn't be soothed by a few words of comfort. Only time could slowly heal everything.

Besides cooking, Su Wanqing also helps clean the stone houses and organize belongings. She tidied up the simple stone houses, making them much more comfortable to live in.

"Miss Su, you don't need to work so hard," Liu Ruyan said with concern. "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet."

"It's alright, doing some work is good for stretching my muscles," Su Wanqing said with a smile. "Lying down all day is actually uncomfortable."

Liu Ruyan couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she could only let her do as she pleased.

However, she also noticed that Su Wanqing seemed to have become more cheerful. When she first arrived, she was always quiet and seemed preoccupied. Now, although she still occasionally showed sadness, she was mostly smiling.

"Perhaps, being busy is the best medicine to heal sadness," Liu Ruyan thought to herself.

time flies.

Zheng Yi continued his seclusion to heal his injuries, which were progressing rapidly and were nearing full recovery.

Zheng Bowen and Xiao Tianxing went out hunting every day and brought back food. Zheng Hongzhi was responsible for maintaining the defensive formation and ensuring safety. Chen Feng did all the work without ever complaining.

Su Wanqing has completely integrated into this small group. She is hardworking, kind, and not spoiled, and is well-liked by everyone.

Especially Liu Ruyan, the two were of similar age and had compatible personalities, and quickly became good friends who could talk about anything.

That evening, Su Wanqing and Liu Ruyan sat outside the stone house, watching the sunset.

"Sister Ruyan, what is your relationship with Young Master Zheng?" Su Wanqing suddenly asked.

Liu Ruyan was slightly taken aback, a blush rising to her cheeks: "We're friends, we came from the Xuan Tian Domain together."

"Just friends?" Su Wanqing teased. "Judging from your attitude towards Young Master Zheng, it doesn't seem like just friendship."

"Don't talk nonsense." Liu Ruyan's face turned even redder. "We're really just friends."

"Alright, alright, we're just friends," Su Wanqing said with a smile. "However, Young Master Zheng is indeed a rare and kind person. He risked offending the Han family to save me. Such a person is hard to find even with a lantern."

“Yes,” Liu Ruyan nodded, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes. “He’s always been like this, kind-hearted and always willing to help others. Back in the Xuan Tian Domain, he almost lost his life protecting a little girl.”

"A little girl?" Su Wanqing asked curiously, "What little girl?"

Liu Ruyan sighed and told Su Wanqing about Xiaoyue's situation.

After listening, Su Wanqing remained silent for a long time.

“So Young Master Zheng has also experienced something like this,” she said softly. “No wonder he was willing to help me.”

“Yes,” Liu Ruyan said, “Although Fellow Daoist Zheng appears cold on the surface, he is actually very kind-hearted. He can’t bear to see the weak being bullied.”

Su Wanqing nodded, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

She looked at Zheng Yi, who was meditating not far away, and a feeling she couldn't quite describe welled up inside her.

This young man was unlike anyone she had ever met.

He is powerful, yet not arrogant. He is aloof, yet kind-hearted. He has experienced loss, yet he is still willing to lend a helping hand to strangers.

Such people are truly rare.

"Sister Ruyan, you have to keep going!" Su Wanqing suddenly said.

"Add what kind of oil?" Liu Ruyan asked, puzzled.

"Keep pursuing Young Master Zheng!" Su Wanqing said with a smile. "Such a wonderful person shouldn't be snatched away by someone else."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Liu Ruyan blushed deeply and stood up to run into the stone house.

Su Wanqing watched her retreating figure and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

As she laughed, a hint of melancholy gradually appeared in her eyes.

She thought of her family and those times that could never be returned to.

"Father, Mother, Brother," she murmured softly, "Are you all doing well in heaven?"

The evening breeze carried away her words.

Life on the barren wasteland was tough, but it also had a unique kind of warmth.

Although Zheng Yi and the others were refugees, they supported and cared for each other, just like a big family.

Su Wanqing was very fortunate to have met them.

A few more days passed.

On this day, Zheng Yi finally ended his seclusion.

His injuries have fully healed, and his cultivation has stabilized. Although he has not yet broken through to the Mahayana stage, he can feel that the threshold is getting closer and closer.

"Master, are you healed?" Zheng Bowen asked with delight as he saw Zheng Yi walk out of the stone house.

"Alright." Zheng Yi nodded. "Thank you for your hard work these past few days."

“What are you saying, Patriarch? This is what we should do,” Zheng Bowen said.

Everyone gathered around, their faces beaming with joy.

Su Wanqing also came over and bowed to Zheng Yi: "Congratulations on your recovery, Young Master Zheng." (End of Chapter)