Chapter 1048 – Reunion with an Old Friend (1)
Jiang Pengji calmly observed the woman, not saying a word, as if deep in thought.
Beside her, Feng Zhen noticed the woman’s appearance, and his previously indifferent gaze brightened slightly, a flicker of admiration flashing in his eyes.
Don’t be fooled by Feng Zhen’s carefree demeanor; in some respects, this roguish gentleman was quite “devoted.”
How many beauties are in the world?
With radiant charm and alluring grace, they were countless.
Among the three thousand charming women, Feng Zhen had a soft spot for mature ladies.
If a woman wasn’t a seasoned beauty, no matter how stunning she looked, in his eyes, she would seem bland and unappetizing.
The woman in simple clothing before him perfectly fit Feng Zhen’s preferred type.
She had an oval face like a goose egg, skin as smooth as cream. Her elongated phoenix eyes, finely shaped and elegantly curved, glimmered with an alluring brightness. With a graceful figure and a slim waist like a willow, even though her attire was plain, it couldn’t conceal her mature intellect.
According to Feng Zhen’s standards, he could easily score this woman above ninety.
While a beautiful face was nice, it didn’t necessarily mean he wanted to possess it; Feng Zhen’s attitude leaned more towards appreciation.
Seeing that his lord remained silent, Feng Zhen smiled and said, “Lady, is what you say true?”
The woman secretly clenched the delicate fabric of her sleeve, yet calmly replied.
“Every word is the truth; how could a humble woman gamble with her own life?”
She smiled faintly, as if her earlier anxiety and concerns were mere illusions.
Han Chang Pass had been breached by the enemy, chaos reigned with shouts of slaughter, and the servants and maidservants were busy escaping; who had time to care about this family?
The woman hailed from Hejian County and at twenty-nine was married to Cangzhou.
Though she came from a scholarly family, she understood all too well what would happen to a noble’s wife after the city fell.
Before Jiang Pengji arrived, several soldiers plundered fortunes, brutally killing fleeing servants, and even set their sights on the maids in the household.
While the other concubines and maidservants were in a state of panic, this woman decisively gathered the other ladies and children to retreat to the inner courtyard, using the walls for a momentary shield. While hiding in the inner courtyard, she heard several maidservants being captured by enemy soldiers, their tragic cries drowning out the chaotic shouts from outside.
Thus, when someone kicked open the inner courtyard door, the woman mistakenly thought that Jiang Pengji and her group were here to cause trouble.
If nothing was done, the situation for the women in the courtyard would be dire, and the lives of several children would be at stake.
In desperation, she mentioned Jiang Pengji, hoping for a glimmer of hope.
She truly knew Jiang Pengji; they had some contact in their youth, so saying they were “old friends” wasn’t a lie.
Feng Zhen glanced at the woman, then turned to look at his lord, who stared back with distinctly black-and-white eyes.
“This is getting interesting; my lord is right in front of you. If you truly are my lord’s old friend, why didn’t you recognize her?”
He looked at her with a half-smile, and she quickly understood Feng Zhen’s insinuation, her already pale face turning ghostly white.
“Liu… Liu Xi?”
The woman’s gaze shifted to the central figure, Jiang Pengji, her voice tinged with disbelief.
She truly hadn’t expected Jiang Pengji to be right in front of her!
Just as Feng Zhen was about to speak, his lord nodded at the woman.
“Hmm, it’s been a long time.”
Feng Zhen: “…”
Wait—this woman is actually an acquaintance of the lord?
Feng Zhen was dumbfounded, and so was the audience; they certainly didn’t possess Jiang Pengji’s bizarre memory.
After a moment of commotion, an ancient figure who had been lurking for a long time popped up.
【Stowaway Non-Money】: Ah—this young lady looks somewhat familiar. I remember she was one of the noble girls who appeared when the streamer first started broadcasting, and she was even a close friend of Shangguan Wan. I was frantically searching my notes in the livestream chat and finally found her—Wan Xiuer!
【Genius Guo Fengxiao】: Wow—big shot, you’re still alive—
【Qi Lin】: Worshiping big shot!
【Poop Shoveling Worker】: Worshiping big shot!
【Twenty Years to Meet You】: Go, Poké Ball! Capture a big shot!
Those familiar with the livestream knew that the first viewer was this 【Stowaway Non-Money】, and the initial recorded videos spread from him. It’s said this person is the founder of the Empress’s livestream forum and a columnist for related magazines.
Rumor has it, some rich man offered millions just to buy his ancient ID, but he refused to sell.
The woman was indeed Wan Xiuer, who had several encounters with Jiang Pengji years ago.
Hearing Jiang Pengji’s response, she sighed in relief.
She had no idea where Jiang Pengji crawled out from, bloodied all over, striking terror in those who looked upon her.
How could she recognize such a horrifying figure?
To think that the last time they met was eight years ago!
Jiang Pengji stood much taller than an average woman, even towering over many men. Clad in armor, with a helmet on her head, wielding twin hammers, her mere presence radiated the aura of a heroic young general—who would associate her with a delicate miss?
“Your husband?”
Jiang Pengji surveyed her attire, her brow slightly furrowing.
If Wan Xiuer’s husband was one of the enemy generals at Han Chang Pass, he was likely already beyond the realm of the living.
Although Jiang Pengji showed no mercy, killing her old friend’s husband upon reunion and leaving her a widow would feel quite awkward.
Wan Xiuer sighed lightly, her expression calm.
“My husband is the commander at Han Chang Pass, and as of now—he has probably reported to the underworld.”
The more composed she was, the more awkward Jiang Pengji felt.
Wan Xiuer had lost her husband, yet her reaction was serene, while the concubines and children wept loudly, their grief echoing through the air.
Hearing this commotion, Wan Xiuer blankly lowered her gaze, the corners of her lips curling slightly.
Jiang Pengji, also thick-skinned, didn’t let the awkwardness linger too long and calmly said, “Given our past friendship, when the war settles, I will return your husband’s remains. At least he can be buried with dignity, instead of left to rot.”
Wan Xiuer replied, “I am your prisoner; any kindness shown is a gift. If my late husband can receive a complete body, it marks a good end to things.”
Her reaction enraged the weeping concubines, who shouted at her one by one.
“You barren shrew, your husband treated you well, and now that he is gone, you can’t even shed a tear—”
“Did you curse him to death early so you could climb up the social ladder?”
“What a venomous heart! You’ll get your comeuppance!”
A few beautiful concubines cried out, and several tender children nestled against them, sobbing softly.
Wan Xiuer couldn’t even be bothered to raise her eyebrows.
Seeing the situation, Jiang Pengji ordered someone to take the noisy women and children away. The action wasn’t rough, but it wasn’t gentle either.
“From the looks of it, you haven’t had a very comfortable time these years.”
Wan Xiuer tucked her loose hair behind her ear, her expression calm.
“Women in the back courtyard are mostly like this; how many can live as free and easy as you?”
