Chapter 875: When the Rabbit Dies, the Dog Is Cooked – Even Abandoned Pieces Have Their Uses

Chapter 875: Chapter 77: When the Rabbit Dies, the Dog Is Cooked – Even Abandoned Pieces Have Their Uses

——After the hare dies, the hound is cooked!

This is precisely a case of after the hare dies, the hound is cooked.

With Zhao Gou’s decision, Qin Hui found himself with absolutely no room to resist.

Of course, he would not easily give up; naturally, he would search for some space to maneuver.

——Unfortunately, his current predicament was quite different from the original history. Faced with the existing situation, and with Zhao Gou having abandoned him, he found himself incapable of offering any resistance.

The night was deep, enveloping Lin’an City like splashed ink.

The Mansion of Wan.

This was, indeed, the first time Qin Hui had proactively come to seek Wan Qixie. By this alone, it was clear just how difficult his situation had become.

He waited for a long while before being finally welcomed into the courtyard by the steward.

Wan Qixie, wearing a robe over his shoulders, with his hair loosely tied up, bore an expression of fitting drowsiness and surprise as he quickly walked forward to welcome, saying, “Ah, Brother Huizhi!”

“Unaware of your late arrival, I failed to greet you from afar, pardon me, pardon me!”

“I had just retired a moment ago, and upon hearing the Chief Minister’s arrival, hurried to get up…”

As he spoke, he gestured for the servants to serve tea, adopting a rather humble pose, showing the same respect he always did in front of Qin Hui.

Qin Hui managed to squeeze out a slight smile, waving his hand, “No need for excessive courtesy, Yuanzhong; it is I who have boldly disturbed.”

Naturally, he realized this hasty awakening might not entirely be true, but at this moment, he had no mind to quibble over such details.

The candlelight swayed within the study, casting shadows on the faces of both, leaving their expressions ambiguous and unclear.

After brief pleasantries, the atmosphere grew heavy.

Wan Qixie carefully observed Qin Hui’s expression, cautiously probing, “Brother Huizhi has come late into the night, might it be… about heading north to deliver the decree?”

His tone carried concern but also a hint of subtle caution.

Qin Hui sighed, a sigh seemingly bearing immense weight, bending his once straight back slightly.

He stopped beating around the bush, his voice carrying unmistakable fatigue and anxiety, “Yuanzhong, we have been friends for many years; I will not speak empty words.”

“Your Majesty commanded me to the army of Gu Hui; this… this clearly is sending me into the lions’ den!”

“What Gu Hui has done in the Central Plains, well, you and I both know that his heart has long forsaken the Zhao’s dynasty.”

“My journey there, in name to deliver the decree, is but to become a bait; I fear… I might not return.”

As he spoke to the end, his voice trembled slightly, his gaze fixed firmly on Wan Qixie, hoping to see a hint of a helping hand from his former ally’s eyes.

At this point.

He had nothing left to play out, bringing everything to light directly, staring straight at Wan Qixie.

Upon hearing this, Wan Qixie’s face immediately filled with empathized worry, sighing repeatedly, “What Brother Huizhi fears, how could I not understand?”

“This matter… indeed is hard for me!”

“But Your Majesty has made his decision, the court and the public eagerly anticipate the Gu Clan to save us from peril; as for us… our stature is humble and words light, I’m afraid it’s hard to change His Majesty’s mind.”

He first exhibited his powerlessness in front, the words overflowing with helplessness.

“Hence I need your assistance, Yuanzhong!” Qin Hui leaned forward, his tone urgent, “You have influence both in the court and locally.”

“If we could jointly propose with several prominent ministers, explaining the pros and cons therein, or request Your Majesty to choose a more stable person, or at the least… allow me a delay to properly arrange my family… Yuanzhong, you are the only one who can help me now!”

This was nearly a plea laying down all dignity.

Wan Qixie showed a troubled expression, pondered for a long time, then finally spoke with difficulty, “Brother Huizhi… it’s not that I am unwilling to exert myself, but… alas, in the current perilous situation, a careless word might lead to disaster.”

“If we obstructed jointly at this time, what would Your Majesty or the scholarly eyes in court think?”

“I fear the accusation of ‘misleading Imperial hearing’ or ‘hindering loyal ministers’ would come in an instant, then not only would I not be able to save Brother Huizhi, we might all be consumed in this, bringing ruin to our doors…”

His words were earnest, dissecting the underlying interests clearly, only one word resonating at its core—difficulty.

Naturally, Wan Qixie could not agree.

In fact, at the present circumstance, the way he could escape risk was simply because Qin Hui stood at the forefront, absorbing all the wrath from others.

Of course, he wouldn’t entirely break off with Qin Hui.

Wan Qixie had already decided upon the most suitable position for himself.

Whether dealing with those madmen like Yue Fei or Qin Hui, he handled them well.

Before Qin Hui could speak further, Wan Qixie prudently continued, “Brother Huizhi, the world is arduous, sometimes… one must endure temporary pain.”

“Given the current situation, preservation of the family is the best strategy.”

He paused momentarily to offer what seemed a sincere pledge, “Brother Huizhi, rest assured, as long as I remain in the court a day longer, I will exert all my effort, maneuvering to preserve and protect, ensuring no harm befalls the Qin family’s offspring.”

“This is my duty, I shall never dare forget.”

“Preservation of the family…” Qin Hui repeated these four words, a smile all too faint and bleak appearing on his face.

He fully understood, the other party had long evaluated the advantages and disadvantages and made his choice.

The so-called effort in protecting was merely a condition, ensuring he obediently proceeded without unnecessary incidents.

And this condition he found impossible to refuse.

He slowly stood up, his stature somewhat unsteady, no longer looking at Wan Qixie, merely waving his hand feebly, “…That’s enough, that’s enough.”

“Yuanzhong… take care of yourself then.”

Wan Qixie stood up, making a gesture as if he wished to assist, “Brother Huizhi…”

But Qin Hui had already staggered toward the door, his figure merging into the thick night.

Wan Qixie stood at the study’s doorway, gazing in the direction where Qin Hui vanished. The previously displayed expression of worry and helplessness gradually retracted, transforming into a barely audible sigh as he turned and closed the door.