Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 279: Fierce, fierce, fierce!

Sima Yu returned to his residence and, without even taking a bath, quickly hid in his room.

He was still shaken.

Although he stayed at home, he wasn't oblivious to what was happening around him.

After the people in the manor leave, they will report some things to him.

For example, he knew about the recent incident where two kings knelt before the emperor, begging Song Shi'an to return to his country.

Although this was hailed as a good story, he was, after all, a veteran official who had been in charge of sacrifices for decades and had dealt with the emperor quite a bit. How could he not see through it?

If the emperor wanted Song Shi'an to return, why would he bring it up in court?

Why not just refuse directly?

Was he doing this to pave the way for the King of Wu, so that he could win over the hearts of the people?
Since that's the case, why not just have the father and son put on this show and call it a day? Why drag all the officials into it, making them play the bad cop to highlight King Wu's favor towards Song Shi'an?
Isn't this crazy?

Is Song Shi'an's favor important, but the favor of the officials is not?

Therefore, he astutely deduced that the emperor and the King of Wu had agreed to let Song Shi'an stay in Yan, but some unexpected events occurred, causing things to get out of control, which led to that 'childish game that decided the fate of the world'.

"Only those who openly and honestly become our friends can be protected."

Sima Yu felt a headache coming on as he recalled Wei Yiyuan's words.

He does have some merit; publicly taking sides at least offers some way out.

But the boy didn't understand what kind of dream he had interpreted for the emperor.

"Yes." Kneeling on the ground with his hands supporting him, Sima Yu quickly realized a truth: "This dream cannot be made public; it absolutely cannot be told to anyone!"

Song Shi'an and his wife were the only people he could confide in.

The purpose was not to get them to come up with solutions, or to ask them to protect themselves in case things really happened in the future; it was purely about forming an alliance.

Song Shi'an is a victim, and so am I.

When it comes to interests, we are the only ones in agreement.

As for the rest?
There is no such thing as true empathy in this world!
Thinking of this, he crawled to the bedside and took out a box from under the bed. Inside was a pair of fired tortoise shells.

He held one in each hand and swallowed hard.

Those who perform sacrifices must have reverence for ghosts and gods.

But in this world, is there really a god who upholds justice?
If that's the case, why can't I hear the spiritual messages from the sky?

The sky above the sky was a vast expanse of white.

It was still pitch-black nothingness.

This old idealist was caught in a dilemma.

Therefore, he was about to make a decision that went against his ancestors' wishes—to divine his own future.

His hands trembled as he gently tapped the tortoise shells together and murmured devoutly, "Am I doing the right thing? Will doing this give me any chance of survival?"

After saying that, he gently tossed the tortoise shell aside.

Two tortoise shells fell to the ground.

His eyes widened as he stared at the front and back of the tortoise shell, at the direction of the patterns, his body trembling: "Ji..."

"Father!" Just then, his son ran in and hurriedly reported to him, "The King of Wu has come to our residence in person and wishes to see you."

"King Wu?" He turned his head in astonishment to look at his son. "What did you say?"

“As usual, they say you are bedridden and unable to see anyone,” his son said helplessly. “But the King of Wu said he brought the imperial physician to diagnose you personally.”

"Oh dear..." Upon hearing this, Sima Yu was at his wit's end. "Wait outside for a moment."

"Dad, please hurry."

His son went outside to keep watch.

This left behind a helpless old man.

The King of Wu was the second most powerful person in the world.

He will become emperor someday.

But that doesn't mean that siding with him guarantees a way out.

You say Shi An is a traitor who appeared in a dream and would even kill a prince? That's spreading rumors and misleading the public! He should be executed!
What can he do if he has to do this?
Should I ask Song Shi'an to plead for me?

Song Shi'an couldn't bring himself to speak.

If you say that Sima Yu is not spreading rumors and misleading the public, does that mean you are truly a traitor who appears in a dream?

If you say Sima Yu is spreading heresy and misleading the public, then he deserves to be killed even more!
But that's all in the future.

If I refuse him now, the future emperor will face an even more direct and devastating catastrophe.

After some hesitation, he raised his head and said, "I'm going to see the King of Wu."

After saying that, he picked up the turtle, touched it lightly, and then tossed it away.

The tortoise shell fell to the ground.

fierce.

Instantly, he broke out in a cold sweat.

"That is His Highness the King of Wu, how could I dare to offend him..."

Wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, Sima Yu picked up the tortoise shell once more.

Tap it again, then toss it.

fierce.

His face turned deathly pale instantly.

My heart was in my throat.

That was the King of Wu.

That's the future emperor.

He brought the imperial physician and came to see me in person.

How could I possibly have the nerve to turn someone away?

"I will see the King of Wu, but I will not reveal anything about the dream to him..."

After speaking these words with trepidation, he picked up the tortoise shell again.

Tap lightly, toss.

The moment he landed, it was as if his soul had been ripped from his body. After seeing clearly, he went completely limp and sat down on the ground with a deathly pale face.

fierce.

After deciding to place the King of Wu in his residence, he cast three divinations in a row, and the result was 'inauspicious'.

Indeed, no sound came from the abyss.

But in his mind, a noisy, almost mentally polluting voice kept repeating itself like a scripture: "Fierce, fierce, fierce..."

This is a very bad omen.

"not see!"

Finally, he shouted at his son.

.........

"Your Highness." Sima Yu's son rushed out and stood before the King of Wu. Then, he bowed deeply with great sorrow, "My father... his illness is not ordinary."

"Is it serious?" King Wu asked with concern. "Then quickly send the imperial physician in."

Left with no other option, Sima Yu's son approached the King of Wu and whispered, "Your Highness, my father has contracted malaria, an incurable disease. He dares not tell anyone, for fear of infecting the imperial physicians..."

"Malaria?" King Wu stared at him and repeated the two words.

"Your Highness, my father truly cannot see you." Sima Yu's son was almost in tears.

"Since that's the case, then there's nothing we can do." King Wu stared at him, gently tugged at his sleeve, and turned to board the carriage.

His attitude was quite unpleasant.

Sima Yu's son could only kneel down immediately, kowtow to the king, and watch him leave with awe.

What on earth happened in our family? Even the King of Wu, who is practically an emperor, has come, and Father won't let him in...

孽 孽!
.........

Thus, for the next few days, Sima Yu's residence remained completely closed.

Neither the Prince of Zhongping nor the Prince of Jin could pry open their gates.

This mysterious matter got stuck here.

It made me so anxious that I felt itchy all over.

Song Shi'an, too, should fulfill the proper duties of a subject. After settling in at home, he sent someone to the Prince's residence to request a visit to the Prince of Wu.

Princess Wu then suggested that Xin Yue accompany him.

The two of them sat in the carriage, driven by San Gou.

Since his return, San Gou has been specially appointed by Song Shi'an as his personal bodyguard.

An absolutely loyal and unwavering assassin.

"Do you think the King of Wu will ask about Sima Yu after we get there?" Xin Yue asked curiously from inside the carriage.

“Since the emperor leaked it, he must have had Sima Yu tell it. If he decides to only tell me, then he won’t tell the King of Wu,” Song Shi’an said with a smile. “It would be interesting if the King of Wu talked to me about this.”

Wei Si.

Let me tell you, I am the traitor who appeared in the dream, and I'm here with Xiao Wei to kill you and the Prince of Jin.

“What should I do if Princess Wu comes looking for me?” Xin Yue asked.

"What do you think she'll say to you?" Song Shi'an asked.

Xin Yue paused, then pursed her lips and said, "Asking me when I'm getting married, who will be my matchmaker, whether I need her help to arrange a marriage... just these boring questions."

"That's good to know," Song Shi'an said. "Then just treat her well and try to act like a girl as much as possible."

"But she will definitely ask, what do you think of the King of Wu?"

"You can't lie, right?"

"I'll say whatever you want me to say." Xin Yue knew that this matter was somewhat serious.

"Boundless gratitude, immeasurable respect, without..."

"Unlimited loyalty?" Xin Yue asked.

"Never mind, let's just say gratitude and respect." Song Shi'an didn't really trust Xin Yue's ability to make polite remarks.

"Okay, I got it."

The two of them, having prepared themselves mentally beforehand, arrived at the Prince's residence.

As soon as I got out of the car, I saw the King of Wu and his wife personally greeting me in front of the palace.

Song Shi'an quickly bowed and said, "Shi'an greets Your Highness and the Princess."

"Greetings, Your Highness; greetings, Your Highness's Consort." Xin Yue also performed a woman's curtsy.

"You must have had a hard time making the trip to Yan." King Wu reached out and grabbed Song Shi'an's hand.

"Your Highness, I brought you..."

"Let the servants fetch it; all I want to see right now is you."

The King of Wu was very friendly and generous, and took Song Shi'an inside.

Xinyue was also led into the mansion by Princess Wu.

"Then Your Highness, you should catch up with Shi An. I'll take Miss Xinyue to admire the flowers," Princess Wu said with a graceful smile.

“Alright, you may go,” King Wu said cheerfully.

Song Shi'an also bowed to Princess Wu in response.

After leaving only the two men, they went directly into the main hall.

Upon entering, Song Shi'an bowed deeply in gratitude, saying, "Your Highness, if it weren't for your and Prince Zhongshan's pleas for me to kneel and plead for you all night, I wouldn't have been able to return to Dayu... I am deeply moved. I am willing to go through fire and water for the King of Wu!"

"You flatter me. It was just kneeling for one night. Compared to the great things you did in Yan, it's nothing." King Wu helped him up and asked jokingly, "But you're not going to be the Prime Minister of Yan anymore. You don't complain, do you?"

"Your Highness, you must be joking. Shi An is not the kind of person who covets wealth and status."

"Just kidding," King Wu said to the stammering Song Shi'an. "If you're going to be a mere Chancellor of Yan, then be the Chancellor of Dayu."

Shi An was filled with trepidation...

"Don't be alarmed, please sit down."

The King of Wu immediately sent him to the throne, and he himself sat in the main seat.

Just then, a eunuch rushed over. Upon seeing Song Shi'an, he paused slightly and said, "Your Highness, it's about something in the palace."

“Shi An is not an outsider, so speak directly,” King Wu said with considerable authority.

This whole thing is really something.

"Your Highness," the eunuch had no choice but to say, "we found the palace eunuch, the one who spread those words that day. But he couldn't say anything either."

Song Shi'an forced a smile and remained polite.

"I see." Then, the King of Wu looked at him and asked, "Shi'an, do you know what's been going on in the palace lately?"

"Ah? I haven't heard anything about what's going on in the palace," Song Shi'an said.

Maintaining an air of mystery, and to demonstrate his trust, the King of Wu lowered his voice earnestly and said, "Sima Yu interpreted Your Majesty's dream, and since then, he has never dared to leave the house again."

(End of this chapter)