Chapter 705: Chapter 257: Going to the Western Regions

He spoke word by word, his heart aching. "Once I leave, I don’t know when I’ll be able to return. The Western Regions are bitterly cold and desolate. I don’t want you to go there and suffer with me, Wanqing. It would be better if you..."

Chen Wanqing didn’t wait for him to finish. She raised her hand and slapped him right across the face.

"Zhao Jing, say that again if you dare." Tears streamed down her face, her eyes filled with anguish. "I married you, and I will follow you for the rest of my life. You promised to treat me well forever. Do you think I’m someone who can only share in your joy but not your hardship? You want me to divorce you, don’t you? Don’t even think about it! Zhao Jing, I cannot let my child be born without a father to care for them..."

Zhao Jing’s voice choked. "Wanqing, the Western Regions are far too harsh. I won’t agree to let you go."

"Then come back as soon as possible! Aren’t you incredibly brilliant? Think of a way!" She sobbed uncontrollably. "Jing, think of a way! I don’t want us to be separated. I don’t want our son to grow up longing for a father’s love, only to never receive it."

She buried her face in Zhao Jing’s chest, her whole body trembling as she cried. Zhao Jing held her tightly, his chest heaving.

He didn’t regret stepping forward at that critical moment, nor did he regret taking on that task. However, the heavy consequences of his actions were tearing him apart. For the first time in his smooth-sailing life, Zhao Jing truly felt a sense of helplessness, guilt, and agonizing pain.

The sound of weeping in Wangyue Inn continued intermittently, persisting deep into the night.

Xu Su Ying couldn’t stand it anymore. She walked in, carrying a bone-cleaving knife. She glared at her daughter. "It’s not that big of a deal. Is it worth crying this much?

"What are you afraid of? Even if the sky falls, your mother is here to hold it up for you."

Xu Su Ying had completely calmed down. She spoke at a leisurely pace, "You don’t need to worry about anything else. Just focus on giving birth first. After that, whether you want to go to the Western Regions alone or take the child with you, I promise things will go your way."

She then looked at Zhao Jing. "You were forced into taking on this task, and you did it for the greater good of the country. I can’t criticize you for that. But you have wronged Qing’er, and that is your fault. However, since you have to go, go with your head held high and return safely. You must make those waiting to see you become a laughingstock never be able to laugh again. Jing, this comeback battle will be hard to fight, but I believe in your abilities. You will definitely win it beautifully."

After Xu Su Ying’s pep talk, the young couple was successfully comforted. By the time she finished, it was already very late.

Xu Su Ying should have gone straight back to the old madam’s courtyard to rest, but she couldn’t hold back and went to the front courtyard to find Mr. Xu. He wasn’t asleep either; he was currently in the study reviewing reports.

Xu Su Ying pushed the door open and walked right in. "You’re really something! He’s your own granddaughter’s husband, and you won’t even help him. Tell me, do you want to watch him die?"

A gust of night wind blew in, rattling the door with a loud BANG BANG.

Mr. Xu pointed at her. "Close the door. You’ve blown out the candles."

"It’s just as well that they’re out. You want to turn a blind eye anyway. With the candles out, isn’t this exactly what you want?"

Mr. Xu’s face darkened. "Su Ying."

"It’s no use calling me that! I’m your own daughter, and Zhao Jing is my son-in-law. You clearly have the ability to resolve this situation, but you insist on sitting back and doing nothing. Have you never considered my feelings? Do you really not care if Qing’er lives or dies? Father, if anything happens to Zhao Jing, I’ll disown you as my father."

Mr. Xu frowned deeply. He placed the reports on the desk and looked at his daughter, his brow furrowed. "Just say it directly. What exactly do you want to do?"

Xu Su Ying plopped down onto the chair next to him. "I’m not doing anything. I just want Jing to return safely. Don’t make excuses; I know you have the power to do this. Father, this isn’t how you test a child. You just promised me that you would take it step by step, but look what happened. He just got used to life at the Hanlin Academy, and you’ve kicked him straight to the Western Regions. Is the Western Regions even a place for people to live? If anything happens to him, I won’t live either!"

Mr. Xu tapped the desk lightly. "Get to the point!"

"The point is, you need to send two teams of Hidden Guards to follow Jing and protect him, both openly and in secret. I don’t care if he achieves any merits, as long as he comes back with all his limbs intact. That’s my only request. Can you do it, Father?"

Mr. Xu nodded, then pointed outside. "Get out. Looking at you annoys me."

Xu Su Ying didn’t linger. She turned around and left.

The next day, she woke up bright and early and sought out the Western Regions merchant who had previously sold her a blanket. No one knew what Xu Su Ying discussed with the merchant. All they knew was that when the merchant saw her out, he was clutching a bulging coin purse, smiling so widely that his eyes were crinkled shut.

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