The Husband’s Scheme

If not for the sound of water droplets and the faint sound of stones being knocked, I would have almost thought I had lost consciousness. I suddenly became alert, trying to discern the direction of the sound, tentatively asking, “Who? Is anyone there?” No one answered, but the knocking sound grew louder and faster. I determined the sound was coming from ahead and tried to drag my leg towards it. After moving for a while, I touched a hard stone wall, and the sound seemed to be coming from the other side. “Who?” The knocking stopped, replaced by a faint female voice. “Ayao…” “Yunqiao?!” I recognized the voice, feeling a surge of joy. “She’s still alive. Yunqiao, is that you?” “It’s me…” She paused. “How did you…” “I came for disaster relief. I heard you hadn’t returned, so I came looking for you. Who would have thought we’d encounter an aftershock? An Jin and I fell down. But I brought people with me, they’ll rescue us soon!” “That’s… good.” She seemed to speak with difficulty. “Otherwise, I’d have implicated you…” “Don’t talk nonsense,” I sighed with relief. “Are you hurt? How badly?” “Ayao, I’m sorry about before,” she sighed, speaking intermittently. “There’s something… I’m afraid I must trouble you with.” “What is it?” “Take care of the imperial consort and Afu.” “Yunqiao, hold on,” I was anxious, unable to see her situation. “People who can save us are coming soon. Hold on.”