Yi Qing couldn't help thinking that the precondition was that the despotic emperor would give him a chance and spare his life.
"Then there's no need," she said calmly, leaning against the side wall of the carriage. "As long as there's peace in the future, it'll be repayment enough for Commander Deng. I suggest you tell me the whole story clearly. It'll help me cooperate with you to save the person."
Deng Xiao didn't hesitate and then told her the whole story.
It turned out that a few years ago, he was ordered by the emperor to raid the residence of Hu Jin, the vice - minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Hu family was exterminated up to three generations. However, the married daughters were not implicated.
Hu Jin's eldest legitimate daughter had married into the Earl of Anqing's mansion and later hanged herself.
But this woman who was supposed to be dead changed her appearance, got close to Deng Xiao's mother, won her trust, and then kidnapped her to blackmail Deng Xiao.
"What's her purpose?" Yi Qing got straight to the point.
"She wants," Deng Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "she wants me to end up like her Hu family!"
Yi Qing sighed and shook her head.
"What do you mean by that?" Deng Xiao frowned tightly, obviously angry. "Do you think I deserve it?"
Yi Qing said, "On the contrary, I think you're innocent."
Deng Xiao was stunned.
"The master sets the dog on others. Can the dog dare not bite?"
"You..."
"It's just a figure of speech. I don't mean to scold you," Yi Qing said. "Why doesn't the Hu woman hate the emperor but hates you instead? It was the emperor who ordered the raid. Even if it wasn't you, there would be someone else to carry out the order. So it's bullying the weak and fearing the strong to blame only you."
For so many years, Deng Xiao was first called "weak" by someone.
"Obviously, she knows she's unable to stage a rebellion or get close to the emperor in the palace. So she transfers her hatred to you," Yi Qing said. "Picking on the weak is just self - deceiving revenge. Even if she achieves her goal, what's the point?"
"If it were you, what would you do?" Deng Xiao stared at her and asked.
"Me?" Yi Qing reached out and touched the hair hanging by her ear. Since she entered the general's mansion, she had always worn a woman's hair bun. The feeling of having her hair down like this was already a bit strange.
"Yes. If you were that Hu woman, what would you do?"
"It depends on how the Hu family treated me," Yi Qing said lazily. "If they treated me badly, what does their downfall have to do with me? Maybe I would even testify for the emperor."
Deng Xiao: "..."
This woman was so ruthless.
"If they treated me neither well nor badly, I would go and burn some paper money for them and help those who were still alive, if there were any."
"What if they treated you very well?"
"I think it's basically impossible," Yi Qing said.
After all, in this era, families lived together. There were dozens of girls in a family, and they were basically raised by wet nurses and maids. As a time - traveler, it was difficult for her to feel the warmth of such a family.
"… But if what you said really happened," Yi Qing said, "it would also depend on how my husband treated me. If he treated me well, I couldn't implicate him. Moreover, I also had my own life to live. If I couldn't take revenge, I could only keep it in my heart. If he treated me badly and there was no one worth my living for, then I would have to find a way. If I could kill the emperor, I would; if I couldn't, I would kill someone who could make him feel bad, and then drag my bad - tempered husband to be buried with me."
Deng Xiao: "… You think so much. I thought you would talk about children next."
Yi Qing said, "If you hadn't interrupted me, maybe I would have. Since you asked me, I have to think seriously and consider every aspect."
"You even want to deal with the emperor. Such an idea is disrespectful."
Yi Qing rolled her eyes and didn't say a word.
After a while, Deng Xiao said, "The Hu woman knows medicine, but I don't. She kidnapped my mother and used a very powerful drug. My mother can't do without it at all. So I want you to approach her quietly and see if there's an antidote. If there is..."
The Hu woman would be in big trouble.
However, Yi Qing was very curious about what kind of drug the Hu woman had used that could make people so addicted and make Deng Xiao so afraid.
No wonder Deng Xiao could still enter the city at will. It turned out that the Hu woman was fearless.
"You're very filial," Yi Qing said. "I thought you would doubt what the Hu woman said."
"My mother is my only relative. I can't take any risks. Without her, no matter how well I do, who would enjoy my glory?"
It seemed to make sense.
Eunuchs were a special group. They were often lonely and suspicious, thinking that others approached them with ulterior motives. But on the other hand, they also recognized many adopted sons and grandsons. They were most afraid of being alone.
"As long as you can help me this time, I will definitely repay you!"
"I can give it a try, but I may not be able to help you," Yi Qing said cautiously.
Deng Xiao didn't say a word. After a while, he said, "There's one thing you must remember firmly..."
"Go ahead."
"Don't mention my identity in front of my mother!"
Yi Qing was completely confused. He had just said he would bring glory to his mother, but then he didn't want his identity to be mentioned. Even a person with schizophrenia wouldn't act like this!
Deng Xiao's face flushed red. He gritted his teeth and said word by word, "I mean, the thing about my castration!"
Yi Qing: "..."
She now suspected that Deng Xiao's mental problems were hereditary.
How stupid would his mother be not to know that he was a eunuch by now?
Deng Xiao seemed to sense what she was thinking and said, "My mother is very simple - minded and easy to trust others. The people serving her are all carefully selected by me."
Yi Qing digressed: "Well, judging from your age, which is similar to mine, your mother can't really be called an old lady."
"My mother gave birth to me when she was forty."
All right, she was wrong.
"I have another question," Yi Qing said. "If the Hu woman mentions it, you can't blame it on me."
"She has been pretending to be a good person in front of my mother until now. She won't stimulate my mother for the time being."
Yi Qing: "… So your mother still trusts her?"
This question hit Deng Xiao's sore spot, and his face instantly darkened.
Yi Qing immediately got the answer.
Who would have thought that such a naive woman could give birth to such a sly son like Deng Xiao.
"I've told you what you need to know," Deng Xiao might have realized that he had been too polite to Yi Qing, so his tone became much harsher. "Do as I say. If you make a mistake, I won't survive, and you won't be able to go back either!"
Yi Qing was speechless. She didn't want to be buried with this dead eunuch!
The carriage drove for another full hour and finally stopped.
Deng Xiao jumped out of the carriage first. Jushuang nervously grabbed Yi Qing's sleeve.
Just now, Yi Qing had been talking to Deng Xiao and even called him a dog. Jushuang was so nervous that her heart was about to jump out.
"It's okay. Follow me," Yi Qing patted her hand.
Unexpectedly, Deng Xiao said, "She can't go with you! I'll have someone take good care of her. Don't play any tricks, or I'll deal with her first!"
Jushuang was about to speak, but Yi Qing covered her mouth.
Yi Qing said, "Okay."