As soon as Sun Quan returned to the palace, Jia Hua came to report that Taishi Xiang suddenly left the city in a hurry with a dozen followers.
Sun Quan frowned and said, "Ziyi is critically ill. He is not at home to take care of him day and night. Where did he go when he left the city?"
Jia Hua replied, "I got the medicine this morning and ran to the Grand Commander's Mansion, and then I left the city directly."
Sun Quan's expression changed slightly: "What did Gongjin say to him?"
Jia Hua shook his head and said he didn't know. Although he was in charge of public security, he didn't dare to act rashly against Zhou Yu. He paused and said, "Recently, many people in the city have been discussing Taishi Ci's injury. It is rumored that if Hua Tuo can be invited, he may be able to cure the disease. Did you get the news?"
Sun Quan sneered and said, "Hua Tuo has already returned to the Central Plains and his whereabouts are unknown. If I could invite him, would I still have to worry so much?"
Ever since Taishi Ci was injured and retreated to Jianye, Sun Quan invited famous doctors from Jianye and nearby areas to treat him, but to no avail. On the contrary, the more medicines he used, the worse his injuries became.
Jia Hua sighed, "According to Ji Miao, if he is not treated in time, I am afraid that General Taishi can only live for half a month at most."
Sun Quan said, "Humans are subject to misfortunes and fortunes at any time. Life and death are determined by heaven. How can human power change this? Ziyi sacrificed his life for the country. I will treat Taishi Xiang well. No matter where he goes to seek medical treatment, I will send people to protect him."
Jia Hua understood and said, "I have sent someone to secretly escort you when you leave the city."
Sun Quan nodded slightly and said, "We must also be more cautious in Ganlu Temple. The old lady's condition has worsened recently, and no one should disturb her."
Jia Hua took the order and left. Sun Quan turned to the western courtyard and walked through the corridor and pond. There were clusters of flowers, clumps of green bamboos, and bursts of birds singing here, as if it was isolated from the outside world.
A boy of fifteen or sixteen was feeding the fish. It was the fifth brother, Sun Lang. When he saw Sun Quan coming in, he stood up and saluted, saying, "Second brother!"
Sun Quan touched his head and asked with a smile, "Where is mother?"
Sun Lang pointed to the flowerbed and said, "I'm watering the flowers."
Sun Quan also fed the fish a handful of food and walked towards the garden. There lived Sun Jian's second wife, Wu Guotai's sister, and she gave birth to a concubine's son, Sun Lang.
She was not only the aunt of Sun Quan and his men, but also their wife. All the brothers regarded her as their biological mother and called her mother without distinction.
Mrs. Wu had a quiet temperament and never asked about state affairs. She only enjoyed growing flowers and plants. Usually, she was only accompanied by Sun Lang and did not interact with outsiders. Sun Quan only came to greet her occasionally.
Whenever the brothers were worried or sad, they liked to come here to relax. Mrs. Wu was like an outsider who could always comfort them and make them calm down.
Among the neatly arranged orchid bushes, Mrs. Wu, with her white hair and youthful face, looks energetic. She is watering the orchids herself with a gourd ladle. She never trusts her servants to take care of these precious flowers.
Sun Quan did not dare to barge in rashly, so he greeted her across the flowerbed. Madam Wu smiled and asked, "Is everything ready for Shangxiang's wedding?"
"Everything is ready!" Sun Quan replied, "In addition... Mr. Qiao has betrothed Da Qiao to Zhao Yun, a general under Liu Qi. She will marry him to Jingzhou today."
"Oh?" Madam Wu paused for a moment, scooped another bucket of water, and said with emotion: "It's better to get married, and go far away. Out of sight, out of mind. Bofu has been dead for eight years. Sister, you should let go of your worries and stop worrying about him."
Sun Quan said, "I am afraid that once we get to Jingzhou, someone will make mischief and damage my reputation."
"A daughter who is married off is like water that has been poured out!" Madam Wu poured the water on him and said calmly, "When Da Qiao returns home, it will no longer have anything to do with the Sun family. Bofu's family is already managed by your eldest sister-in-law, so why should you care whether the concubine stays or goes?"
Sun Quan suddenly understood and clasped his fists, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, mother. I understand now."
Madam Wu pointed to the room and said, "It's rare that the Grand Commander is staying for a long time this time. I made some pineapple cakes. You can take them back for him to try. This time, we saved Jiangdong thanks to Gongjin."
Sun Quan smiled and said, "My mother's pineapple cakes are only available here. I'm sure Gongjin has been missing them for a long time."
…
When Liu Qi came back from Ganlu Temple, he was dumbfounded. He thought they were discussing his marriage, but he actually promised Da Qiao to Zhao Yun.
It’s not because he missed out on Da Qiao. Although it was a pity to miss the beauty, Liu Qi was also happy to see Zhao Yun settle down.
A gentleman helps others to achieve their goals. Da Qiao is paired with Zhao Yun, which is also like a beauty paired with a hero. It's just right!
What puzzled Liu Qi was the attitude of Sun Quan and his mother. According to Da Qiao, she had been in solitary confinement for eight years. Why did she suddenly agree to remarry after meeting him
Thinking about it along the way, he always felt that his meeting with Da Qiao had been discovered by Sun Quan. If Da Qiao was suspected, it would be abnormal if he did not send someone to monitor her secretly.
But what puzzled Liu Qi was that Da Qiao suspected that Sun Ce died of a conspiracy. Since Sun Quan had already confirmed it, he should have kept it strictly confidential and then found a way to get rid of him. But now he sent her away. Isn't he afraid that this matter will be exposed to the world
Is there some conspiracy here, or was it Da Qiao's last words that made Sun Quan feel fearful
But no matter what, being able to free Da Qiao, and help Zhao Yun start a family, changing the fate of both of them is the best of both worlds. No matter what the cause of Sun Ce's death was, she was just an outsider.
Liu Qi made up his mind to bring the people back to Jingzhou first, so that he could put his mind at ease and not suffer any loss. As for the mess in Jiangdong, they could deal with it themselves, as it had already become a mystery in history anyway.
Sun Ce’s death is regrettable, but it is beyond his control. He should first lay a solid foundation for himself and then act according to circumstances in the future. If things turn out badly, it would be even better.
As the son-in-law of Jiangdong, if I could take over Sun Quan, I would make a lot of money!
After returning to the inn, he discussed with Xu Shu and Xi Guan the results of the public opinion creation in the past few days, first to build momentum for Hua Tuo, and then to force Sun Quan to release Taishi Ci and bring him to Jingzhou.
Zhao Yun took off his armor and came in. Liu Qi smiled and said, "Today there is an important event. I want to congratulate Uncle Zilong. It is worth coming to Jiangdong."
Zhao Yun asked in confusion: "Where does the joy come from?"
Liu Qi said, "In fact, I went to Ganlu Temple just now because of you. Mr. Qiao is going to marry Da Qiao to you. The engagement will be held in Qiao's mansion in three days."
Zhao Yun was shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly clasped his fists and said, "Sir, you must not do this. Da Qiao is grateful to you and wants to marry her. How can I dare to accept her?"
"That's wrong!" Liu Qi said sternly, "I agreed to help Da Qiao because I respect Sun Ce's heroism and can't bear to see him die in vain. Da Qiao is just an outsider. If I see her and don't save her, it would be unrighteous! Since I married Sun Shangxiang, how can I marry her sister-in-law and do something immoral?"
Xu Shu smiled and said, "The two Qiao sisters of Jiangdong are well-known. General, you are loyal to your master and you are a hero who saves the beauty. It is a good thing that you get a good match!"
Zhao Yun said sternly: "There are many women in the world. A man only worries about not having a good reputation, not having a wife."
Liu Qi frowned and said, "Sun Ce and Da Qiao are actually just a couple in name only. It is very likely that Zilong despises their status?"
Zhao Yun clasped his fists and said, "My lord, I am grateful for your kindness! But I saw that you were unhappy along the way, so you must be worried about this matter. I have assisted you in restoring the Han Dynasty and achieving great things. How dare I take away your love for a woman?"
"Where did you get that from?" Liu Qi said with an upright face, "Am I a lustful and selfish person?"