Chapter 282: Persuading Shang Xiang
Gan Ning pondered for a moment, “The situation in Jiangdong is unfavorable now, and Cao Zhi has already personally arrived in Jiangdong.”
Sun Shangxiang’s heart skipped a beat, ‘Cao Zhi!’ Could it be…..
“Miss Sun, Cao Zhi’s arrival in Jiangdong is of great significance!” Gan Ning’s tone was flat.
Gan Ning had always called her Shang Xiang, but now he suddenly changed to calling her Miss Sun. Sun Shangxiang suddenly felt an indescribable sense of loss in her heart, but it was immediately replaced by the strong sense of crisis before her eyes.
“Mm!” She softly agreed, waiting for Gan Ning to continue.
Gan Ning spoke unhurriedly again: “Nominally, it was Sun Ben attacking Jiangdong, and the Cao Army was also flying Sun Ben’s banner, so after taking Jiangdong, it should belong to Sun Ben and have nothing to do with Cao Cao. But now that Cao Zhi has arrived, it means Cao Cao has torn off the disguise and directly ascended to the throne, kicking Sun Ben aside. So Jiangdong may no longer have a Sun regime in the future.”
Sun Shangxiang’s eyes suddenly turned red. Was the foundation created by her father and elder brother just gone like this?
Her voice trembled, “Is there… not even a little hope left?”
Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said: “Perhaps they will leave a shell, but it will only be just a shell.”
Xu Wei, puzzled beside him, asked: “Husband, what empty shell?”
Gan Ning smiled, “It depends on how the Cao Army takes Dantu County. If they take it by direct attack, then the Jiangdong regime will cease to exist. But if they take Dantu County through negotiation, then Cao Cao might consider face and delay for a year or two, letting Jiangdong keep an empty shell to stop the mouths of the world, after all, he signed an agreement. But even if it’s an empty shell, it won’t last more than three years at most.”
Sun Shangxiang suddenly asked: “Have they already started negotiations? Those few black-clothed men today…”
Gan Ning glanced at her, his gaze sharp as if it could see through her thoughts.
Earlier, Gan Ning had already told Xu Wei that those few black-clothed men were there to capture Sun Shangxiang and take her back to Jiangdong. Of course Sun Shangxiang knew. Now that she suddenly asked this, Gan Ning naturally knew what she was thinking. She wanted to sacrifice herself to save Jiangdong, even if it was just an empty shell, she wanted to save it.
Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said: “Miss Sun, I understand what you mean. I won’t interfere with your choice and decision, but I must tell you the truth. Those few black-clothed men today were not your elder brother’s men, but Sun Ben’s men. Sun Ben wants to capture you and offer you to Cao Zhi. Additionally, the empty shell of Jiangdong does not belong to your elder brother, but to Sun Ben. This is what Cao Cao promised him.”
Sun Shangxiang’s pretty face instantly turned deathly pale, unable to say a word.
After a good while, she stood up and said softly: “I’ll go back first!”
Sun Shangxiang left with a desolate expression. Only then did Xu Wei ask: “Husband, Shang Xiang she?”
“She wants to sacrifice herself by marrying Cao Zhi to save Jiangdong.”
Xu Wei nodded, “Would she really do that?”
Gan Ning sighed, “She can’t save Jiangdong. Jiangdong is already finished. Even if delayed for two or three years, the shell belongs to Sun Ben and has nothing to do with her elder brother.”
“What about the Xu Family?”
“The Xu Family will be fine. Your father is a high official in the Imperial Court, and the Xu Family has high prestige in Jiangdong. Cao Cao will only win over the Xu Family. If I’m not mistaken, Xu Kun will continue to serve as prefect of a commandery.”
Xu Wei’s tense mood finally relaxed. She stood up and said: “I’ll go check on Shang Xiang.”
“Go ahead!”
Gan Ning watched Xu Wei leave. He hadn’t told Xu Wei that he also wanted to participate in the contention for Jiangdong.
At this time, Da Qiao walked in, holding a cup of tea in her hand.
“How did the talk with them go, husband?”
“Yun Qing is fine, but Shang Xiang is a bit emotionally out of control, with some very dangerous ideas.”
“What dangerous ideas?” Da Qiao asked.
“She wants to sacrifice herself and become Cao Zhi’s concubine to save Jiangdong.”
“How is that possible?”
Da Qiao shook her head, “How could Cao Cao give up Jiangdong for one woman? Her idea is too foolish.”
“The person involved is bewildered!”
Gan Ning also sighed softly, “She really wants to do something for the family, even if it’s wrong, she wants to try!”
Da Qiao thought for a moment and said to Gan Ning: “Husband, take her in! I’m willing to accept this younger sister. This is the only way to stop her from doing something foolish.”
Gan Ning nodded silently. He needed to think about this matter some more.
Xu Wei arrived at Sun Shangxiang’s room and saw her still sitting dazedly on the bed, her eyes empty.
Xu Wei sat down beside her, gently held her hand, and said softly: “Shang Xiang, I know you’re sad, but wealth and status are actually external things. The key is that my family and I can live safely and peacefully. That’s the most important thing. Try to think positively.”
Sun Shangxiang slowly turned her head to look at Xu Wei, her eyes red again, choking as she said: “Father, elder brother worked so hard to build the foundation, but in the blink of an eye, it’s gone. I’m really sad and want to do something, even if it means enduring great grievances, I’m willing.”
“I know you want to save Jiangdong, even if it means sacrificing yourself to become Cao Zhi’s concubine, but have you thought about it? If you marry over, can Jiangdong be preserved? Moreover, even if it’s a two- or three-year empty shell of Jiangdong, that belongs to Sun Ben. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for Sun Ben?”
Sun Shangxiang gently shook her head, “Of course not!”
“That’s right. Sacrificing yourself to benefit Sun Ben would be the greatest humiliation to your father and elder brother!”
Sun Shangxiang trembled all over. Xu Wei’s words woke her up like a splash of cold water. Yes! Some foolish things cannot be done.
At this time, a maidservant came in and whispered a few words to Xu Wei. Xu Wei nodded and said softly to Sun Shangxiang: “My husband is waiting for you outside. He wants to talk to you.”
“Ah!”
Sun Shangxiang was startled and quickly stood up. She glanced at Xu Wei, who gently pushed her, “Go ahead!”
Sun Shangxiang walked out of the courtyard and saw Gan Ning standing at the door, gazing at her gently. Her heart fluttered, and she hurriedly lowered her head and walked up to him.
“Let’s take a walk!”
Gan Ning’s voice was very gentle, carrying a hint of concern. Sun Shangxiang nodded silently and followed Gan Ning as they strolled along the path in the back garden.
Soon they reached the vegetable field. Looking at the melon vines that were thriving under Sun Shangxiang’s careful tending, Gan Ning finally spoke, his voice low and tone slow.
“My subordinate, the veteran general Huang Zhong and his wife once had a son. From pregnancy to birth, they raised him until he grew up. That child was their greatest hope and sustenance. But at nine years old, he unfortunately fell ill and passed away. Since then, the couple has had no more children. Thirty years have passed in a flash, and they still live together harmoniously, very happily.”
At this point, Gan Ning turned back to look at her, his eyes full of concern and encouragement.
“I just want to tell you that everyone will experience various pains and setbacks in life, but we still need to live well. Let go of what has been lost and seek new hope and sustenance. Although Jiangdong is gone, you will have a life more worth cherishing. Perhaps this new life hasn’t appeared yet, but maybe it’s right in front of you. Do you understand what I mean?”
Tears silently flowed from Sun Shangxiang’s eyes. She tightly hugged Gan Ning’s waist, pressing her face to his chest, quickly soaking the front of his clothes with her tears.
