Chapter 959 The Woman Xu Yan

Chapter 959: 959 The Woman Xu Yan

Although Sun Yi was still confused, he understood when he heard "directly under His Majesty."

He knew that with his mother and sister both serving as concubines in the palace, they certainly wouldn’t ignore him if something happened!

These kinds of people were beasts who exploited family ties, fond of moral blackmail—utterly disgusting!

"Alright, alright, I’ll give you some instructions first."

Sun Yi knew that going with them was a form of protection; otherwise, he wouldn’t even know how he died.

"No need, it won’t take long. Come with us first.

Lord Sun, don’t make things difficult for me. I didn’t need to get involved in this matter in the first place."

Shi Qian threatened from the side, clearly displeased.

Sun Yi muttered to himself.

Although reluctant to part with his newly acquired concubine, he had to save his life first.

So he gave a few instructions to the servants and then left.

"Alright, I’ll go with you."

Back in the courtyard, Lu Ming landed just as the imperial guards entered and took control of the courtyard.

The emperor wanting to steal women and concubines—it sounded absurd, especially since he was having sex with the wives and concubines of his subordinates. If word got out, it would be utterly shameful.

But Sun Yi deserved it. Since he was going to have sex anyway, he might as well do it sooner.

The sky was getting dark.

Lu Ming pushed open the door and went inside.

Before the maids in the room could react, the imperial guards entered and subdued them.

They gagged them with towels and tied them up.

These were all close female soldiers; they might not be very capable on the battlefield.

But for this kind of thing, they were quite adept.

Sitting by the bed was a bride in a bright red robe, presumably Xu Yan, the commoner who had been forced into this situation.

Her light makeup accentuated her jade-like complexion, making it appear even more radiant.

Bright red lips, a high-bridged nose, and willow-leaf eyebrows completed her look.

Below her eyebrows were a pair of captivating, almond-shaped eyes.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, revealing her long, slender, white neck. She was a charming young woman, and a beauty of exceptional looks.

Xu Yan rose and slowly walked to the table, picked up a teacup, turned it upside down, and then poured herself a glass of wine. "Please have a drink. May I ask your name? It seems my divination was correct."

"Lu Ming!"

Lu Ming’s expression was somewhat amused, rather than using the alias Zhao An.

Xu Yan’s eyes suddenly widened, then she stood up and hurriedly knelt, her white forehead pressed against the floor tiles. "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I, Xu Yan, was blind and did not recognize Your Majesty. Please punish me!"

"Ignorance is no excuse. Get up."

Lu Ming picked up the cup and drank the wine in it in one gulp. "Speak, how did Sun Yi persecute you?"

Xu Yan gave a bitter smile, kneeling on the ground, appearing somewhat tragically beautiful.

She didn’t know Lu Ming had come to steal her beauty; she only knew he was the emperor, and naturally trusted him unconditionally.

"Sun Yi and I have a blood feud—we are mortal enemies!"

As Xu Yan recounted her story, a strange expression appeared on Lu Ming’s face.

Xu Yan was indeed Sun Yi’s legal wife in history.

If Lu Ming hadn’t stirred up trouble and caused the wheels of history to turn, she would indeed have been Sun Yi’s wife.

In the ninth year of Jian’an (208 AD), the magistrates of all the counties in Danyang Commandery met with Sun Yi. Sun Yi, knowing his wife Xu was skilled in divination, asked her to cast a divination for him. Xu said the divination was unfavorable, indicating misfortune, and advised Sun Yi not to hold a banquet.

However, Sun Yi, believing the officials had been there for a long time, still held a grand banquet.

Sun Yi usually carried a knife when he went out, but that day, being drunk, he saw the guests off empty-handed. Bian Hong then ambushed and killed Sun Yi from behind. Everyone in the commandery was busy at the time, and no one came to Sun Yi’s aid.

After killing Sun Yi, Bian Hong fled into the mountains, but was eventually captured by Xu.

Jiao Lan and Dai Yuan pinned the blame for Sun Yi’s death on Bian Hong and killed him, but the soldiers of Danyang believed that Lan and Dai Yuan were the true culprits.

Upon learning of Sun Yi’s murder, Sun He, the Prefect of Lujiang, rushed to Wanling and berated Gui Lan and Dai Yuan for their incompetence in handling the matter.

Gui Lan and Dai Yuan secretly conspired, "Sun He is estranged from the General and unaware of the truth; he’s merely rebuking us.

Once General Tao Fang (Sun Quan) returns, we’re finished!"

Therefore, they killed Sun He and secretly sent men north to welcome Liu Fu, the Governor of Yangzhou, ordering him to lead troops to Liyang, where they would meet him in Danyang.

Gui Lan then broke into Sun Yi’s residence, forcibly taking Sun Yi’s concubines and maids, and also plotted against Xu Shi.

Xu Shi, fearing for her life, delayed, saying, "I need to wait until after the last day of the month for the funeral rites before I can leave."

Gui Lan complied with her request.

Meanwhile, Lady Xu secretly sent for Sun Gao and Fu Ying, two of Sun Yi’s trusted confidants, and tearfully pleaded with them, "Jiao Lan has already forcibly taken my concubine, and now she’s trying to force me as well.

I beg you two to help me."

Sun Gao and Fu Ying, weeping, replied to Lady Xu, "We have received great favor from Lord Sun (Sun Yi). The reason we didn’t immediately die is that we believe death is pointless. We wanted to make plans, but we hadn’t thought them through and dared not tell you, Madam.

What happened today has been on our minds day and night."

So they secretly summoned about twenty of Sun Yi’s attendants and told them what Lady Xu had said. They then swore an oath to conspire together.

On the last day of the month, Lady Xu finished her mourning rituals, removed her mourning clothes, burned incense, bathed, and smiled as before, her face devoid of sorrow. Those around her all scolded her...

But Duan Lan, who had been secretly observing, no longer suspected anything.

Lady Xu ordered Sun Gao, Fu Ying, and the maids to enter, saying that the situation had turned from bad to good, and then went out to pay her respects to Duan Lan. Lan had just returned the bow.

At this moment, Xu shouted, "Generals, please come out!" Sun Gao and Fu Yao, who had been lying in ambush, rushed out and killed Gui Lan.

The rest went out and killed Dai Yuan.

Xu put her mourning clothes back on and offered their heads as a sacrifice at Sun Yi’s tomb.

This was a remarkably chaste woman. In this era, it was common for women to remarry after their husbands died; it was normal, and no one laughed at them.

Most women were content with their lot, so Xu Yan’s fidelity stood out all the more.

Lu Ming never expected to encounter such a remarkable woman, and he immediately became interested.

He planned to take this woman into his harem; such a woman was meant for him.

Who wouldn’t like a fidelity woman?

Xu Yan’s father had been tricked by Sun Yi’s men into buying farmland, which was then reclaimed in the name of the government.

Poor Xu Yan’s father borrowed money to buy land, hoping to turn his life around, but ended up losing both money and land. Coupled with being harassed by debt collectors, he died of a stroke.

Xu Yan’s mother also died of fear. Left with no other choice, Xu Yan was forced to marry Sun Yi as a concubine, and planned to poison him that very night.