Chapter Forty-One: A Choice of Two

Yu Shengsheng stood before the Zhenning Tower, drawing a deep breath.

She had not expected to return to this place—a place everyone else went to great lengths to avoid—in a mere half-day. Truth be told, had it not been for the need to inquire about Kong Dezhao and the desire to retrieve Granny Wu, she would never have set foot here again.

Hao Mengye happened to be present. Hearing of her arrival, a faint sneer flickered in his eyes. "Let her in."

This time, she did not receive the same treatment as before; there was no private room, only a direct escort to the interrogation quarters. Two entire walls were lined with various instruments of torture, each reeking of blood and rust. The dim, cold light reflecting off them was enough to chill a person to the bone.

When Yu Shengsheng entered, Hao Mengye was wiping blood from his hands. He tossed the stained cloth into a brazier, where a red-hot branding iron rested. On a rack, a disheveled figure hung with head bowed, covered in new and old wounds, appearing neither dead nor alive. She glanced at it once, then quickly averted her gaze.

"Miss Yu, to what do I owe this visit?" Hao Mengye asked tonelessly. "Rest assured, I will not go back on what I promised you."

"Commander Hao, you misunderstand. I am not here to press you on our previous matter."

"Then?" Hao Mengye toyed with the glowing iron. "Are you here to plead for Su Dingqin?" He could think of nothing else. "The Su family surely doesn't believe Miss Yu holds that much influence, do they?"

Yu Shengsheng curled her lips slightly. "They do believe just that. The Second Young Master said that Commander Hao is not an unreasonable man."

Hao Mengye was surprised, then burst into laughter. "My surname is Hao, but I never claimed to be a 'good' man." He refused point-blank. "This cannot be done. Miss Yu, you may leave."

Yu Shengsheng remained standing, gathering her courage to ask, "I did not come for him. I want to ask: will the Heir Apparent Kong arrive in the capital on schedule?"

Hao Mengye tilted his head. "Why do you ask?"

"The Second Young Master claims that Heir Apparent Kong will be delayed by at most two days, and that the Crown Prince has already sent men to receive him." Her gaze was earnest. "Commander Hao, I beg you to tell me the truth."

As she spoke, her fingers were tightly intertwined within her sleeves, her legs trembling slightly. She was but a small person; a single word or thought from these powerful figures could dictate her fate and her life. She could not help but be anxious, yet she had to resist.

Hao Mengye stared at her for a moment, looking into her dark eyes, and asked in a low voice, "Is the position of the Heir Apparent's consort not appealing? It would allow you to leave the Su household."

Yu Shengsheng replied candidly, "Commander Hao, I wish to leave the Su household to be with the right person, not to grasp at a random piece of driftwood, and certainly not to jump from one fire pit into another."

Hao Mengye smiled very slowly. "You are quite bold to call the Nanshun Prince's Mansion a fire pit. However, Miss Yu, you have used up your final favor. The matter of Kong Dezhao has nothing to do with me."

"However," he added, "in consideration of the fact that you once saved the Commander-in-Chief, I can make an exception."

A light flickered in the depths of Yu Shengsheng's dark eyes. Hao Mengye continued, "I can give you one more chance. Do you choose to protect Qi Mubai, or do you choose to stop Kong Dezhao from entering the capital? Choose one."

The light in Yu Shengsheng’s eyes dimmed again. How could she choose? Choosing Qi Mubai might, if all went well, lead to a new beginning. Choosing to block Kong Dezhao could resolve a massive crisis.

As she hesitated, an Imperial Dragon Guard hurried in. "Great Commander, we have found the painting the Commander-in-Chief ordered us to retrieve."

Hao Mengye looked pleased. "Excellent. Let me see."

The Guard looked troubled. "However, the painting has been damaged in one area."

When the painting was unfurled, it revealed a landscape. Judging by the inscription, it was the work of a renowned master from the previous dynasty. "Great Commander, it is damaged here. I have asked many, and they all say it cannot be repaired."

The smile faded from Hao Mengye’s face. He frowned in thought. "Offer a reward. Bring in every painter and restorer in the city. Whoever can fix this shall be handsomely rewarded."

"Yes!"

As the guard turned to leave, Yu Shengsheng spoke up: "Great Commander, I can repair it."

Hao Mengye turned back to her. "Miss Yu, this is no time for jokes."

"I am not joking," Yu Shengsheng said, stepping forward to examine the painting. "This damage was caused by moisture; the ink has bled and adhered to itself."

"How long will it take you?"

"Three days at the least, five at the most."

Hao Mengye’s gaze felt physical, as if it could pierce through her inner thoughts. "Miss Yu, once you accept this task, there is only one path: you must succeed. If you repair it well, Kong Dezhao can be delayed from entering the capital by a month. Su Dingqin can also be released once you have finished, sparing you from further pressure from the Su family."

Yu Shengsheng’s heart surged with joy. Just as she was about to speak, Hao Mengye raised a hand. "If you fail—this painting is vital to the Commander-in-Chief—the consequences..."

"I will bear them alone," Yu Shengsheng said firmly. "My life is yours if I fail." This was her only chance; she had to seize it and make Hao Mengye believe in her.

"Very well, it is a deal." Hao Mengye nodded. "I will have my men prepare whatever you need. During the time you are repairing this, you cannot return to the Su household. This painting is of great importance and must not be known to others. I hope you understand, Miss Yu."

Jin Baobao spoke up: "Great Commander, you don't expect my young lady to work here, do you?"

"Of course not," Hao Mengye replied. "In the same lounge as last time."

Jin Baobao: "..."

"And if the Su family comes to ask, what will you tell them, Great Commander?"

"Naturally, I shall say that you are being detained for a few days to save Su Dingqin. Such a claim may affect your reputation, Miss Yu. I hope you have considered this."

Yu Shengsheng nodded. "I agree. Reputation is not that important to me."

A look of astonishment flashed in Hao Mengye’s eyes; he had never heard a woman say that reputation was not important. "Since you have considered it, so be it. Someone, prepare everything for Miss Yu. Ensure she has everything she requires."

"Yes."

...

At lamp-lighting time, the atmosphere in the Old Madam's room was oppressive. The Madam of the Su household’s eyes were as swollen as walnuts, which only served to irritate the Old Madam further. Su Zhiyi had arrived as well, her face pale and haggard, her eyes vacant.

"Has she not returned yet?" the Old Madam asked.

The Madam shook her head. "Not yet."

Just as the Old Madam was about to reprimand the Madam, hurried footsteps echoed outside, approaching the room.

"Old Madam, Madam! The Great Commander of the Imperial Dragon Guard is here!"

Everyone in the room was shocked. "Where is he?"

"Already in the front hall!"

Su Yanshu, having received word, also hurried to the front hall. "Commander Hao, I did not know of your visit..."

Hao Mengye interrupted him. "Let us wait for the Old Madam to arrive. I would prefer not to have to repeat myself once the head of the house is present."

Su Yanshu clenched his teeth, his eyes downcast as he cursed silently: *Arrogant to the extreme! Once I enter the court and the Crown Prince ascends, I shall find a way to dispose of you first.*

As they spoke, the Old Madam arrived.

"Old Madam, I have come to inform you that Miss Yu will remain at the Zhenning Tower for a few days."

Su Yanshu was startled, blurting out, "That will not do!"