Perfect Encounter - Chapter 104.1

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Chapter 104.1

Tang Xuan blinked, not answering.

Qian Shixin realized he had crossed the line and said, “This matter is not easy to deal with. I am worried that the person would not do it properly. If there is anything I can do to help, there is no harm in saying so, sir.”

Tang Xuan said, “You do not need to do anything for now. The less you know about this, the better.”

Qian Shixin still felt uncomfortable, “I don’t always have the opportunity to come in.” In other words, he would not always be the first to know if something goes wrong.

“Don’t worry. Your status is important, and there are more important things that you need to do later. Until then, it’s best if you don’t arouse any suspicion. You will naturally know who has done this when the time is right.”

“Alright.” Qian Shixin said, “As long as you’re sure, sir.”

Tang Xuan smiled, seemingly confident. He said, “I have something to ask you. Regarding the butcher. You need to start to take care of it.”

Qian Shixin attached his ear over, and Tang Xuan said so and so to him.

Yao Kun was restless when he returned to the governor’s mansion. Meng Jiayue called him twice without hearing his reply. Meng Jiayue asked, “What is troubling you?”

Yao Kun thought for a while before saying, “Madam, Mr. Huo lost his life in Pingnan. No matter what, we have to take responsibility. The war is coming. Why don’t you take Wen Hai to the outer counties to hide for a while?”

Yao Wenhai was their only son, and Meng Jiayue, who had a son only four years after her marriage, doted on him. Yao Kun was so concerned about his wife that he no longer allowed her to have children, nor did he take any concubines, and his gesture of love and affection made many people envious of Meng Jiayue.

Meng Jiayue looked at Yao Kun in shock: “What’s wrong with you? If there is a war, I will accompany you. There is no reason to hide by myself.”

Yao Kun sheepishly avoided her gaze and softly said, “I am just concerned about Wen Hai because he is still young.”

“He is already twelve. Do you think he is a child? At this age, it’s time to understand things and be sensible. If the war starts, you will lead us to defend Zhong Lan, and this will be an example to people. How can you think of running away before the battle starts? You are the head of a county. You are the solid backing behind the frontline soldiers. If you have the slightest bit of cowardice, how will the frontline soldiers be, and how will the people of Pingnan County be?” Meng Jiayue got angry and turned around to sit aside.

Yao Kun coaxed her, “I am not doing this for myself. I am thinking about you and our son. Since I am the governor of Pingnan County, I naturally live and die with Pingnan County.”

Yao Kun was stunned for a moment after saying this, remembering that this last sentence was something that Mr. Meng used to say back then. The last three years of his life were the years Great Xiao went to war with South Qin.

During those three years, Old General Long Yi led the troops and fought from Xun River Town to the Sixia River. Because there was no dike, the Sixia River was dyed red from blood. Refugees from several counties along the border poured into Zhong Lan. The Shiling Cliff was burned to the ground by fire. Once South Qin took Shiling County, Fu’an County built high walls and became the last barrier for Zhong Lan City.

Yao Kun remembered his enthusiasm for the country that year, risking his life. He also recalled that Mr. Meng took his sixteen-year-old daughter, Meng Jiayue, to the mountains, promising to the people: “If Zhong Lan is present, my family will be there. No one in the Meng family will retreat, even if only a town or a village is left. We will work together to protect our country.”

But then, how did that matter happen? He was possessed.

A single thought can change many things.

Perhaps he wouldn’t be a governor today, but his conscience would be much more at ease.

“Jia Yue.” Yao Kun softly called his wife but did not have the face to look at her, “I …… am just a selfish person.”

“My Lord is indeed selfish.” Meng Jiayue gritted her teeth, “You are willing to sacrifice your life for the country but look down on others.” The way Yao Kun did not even look at her made her even more angry. “My Lord, I am unworthy to accompany you to the last step either, am I? I can only accompany you to share your wealth and riches, but I cannot accompany you in times of trouble. Your heart is only open for others’ interest, but you should consider the feelings of others as well.”

Yao Kun was distracted and did not comprehend her meaning, “What are you talking about? What is this about being worthy or unworthy?”

“Back when the war was raging, you deliberately repudiated your first wife for not being able to produce an heir and let her go back to her hometown. You wanted to keep her safe and preferred to hurt her this way. Now, you want to do this to me as well?” Meng Jiayue was too angry and blurted out, and after seeing Yao Kun’s surprised and baffled expression, she regretted it.

Mrs. Luo.

Yao Kun’s former wife. That was the thorn in Meng Jiayue’s side. She envied her and felt guilty. She envied Yao Kun for his deep love for Mrs. Luo. He would prefer to take the blame to keep her safe, but she felt guilty because now she had become Yao Kun’s wife and enjoyed the happiness that originally belonged to Mrs. Luo.

Meng Jiayue was only thirteen when she met Yao Kun. She lost her mother when she was young, and Meng Yunshan was busy with his official duties and never remarried. At that time, Yao Kun was twenty-five years old and was recognized by Meng Yunshan and promoted to the head of the department. Yao Kun assisted Meng Yunshan in his official duties and helped take care of Meng Jiayue. He taught her poetry, calligraphy, and painting to relieve her boredom. Neglected by her father, Meng Jiayue was lonely and introverted. She gradually became more cheerful after knowing Yao Kun. However, Yao Kun already had a wife, so although Meng Jiayue’s heart was moved, she kept it deep and did not disclose it.

Later, the two countries went to war, and the situation did not look good. People were in deep fear, and Yao Kun and other officials swore to Meng Yunshan to protect Pingnan and Great Xiao until death. However, Yao Kun decided to repudiate his wife, Mrs. Luo, because she couldn’t produce an heir so she could leave Pingnan County. The husband and wife parted with teary eyes. After the repudiation, Meng Jiayue unintentionally bumped into Yao Kun while he wiped his tears of sadness secretly, and she realized how deep this man’s love was. Later, when she heard that Mrs. Luo was going to remarry, Yao Kun almost gave all his family’s wealth for her dowry. Meng Jiayue was envious. To be treated so well by one person in this life, it was enough.