Chapter 1648 – Taking Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Fifty-Eight)
“What exactly does the lady want to do? Just say it plainly, why beat around the bush and raise suspicions?”
In the short distance from the main courtyard to the guest courtyard, Lü Zheng’s mind flitted through several guesses, ultimately deciding that the other party must have a request of him.
Lü Zheng didn’t believe that a woman he had only met once or twice would be infatuated with him, especially since this lady had weathered so much; yet here she was, still living quite peacefully, showing herself to be a clever and discerning woman. She surely knew what her “husband” was like.
An’s two sworn brothers were nothing more than illiterate brutes, possessing strength but no wit.
To put it bluntly, they were bandits, unaware of what “manners” meant.
Their more sinister side was on full display, attempting to forcibly take what they believed was beautiful property, never considering their actions to be wrong.
Their logic was rather amusing.
Since “married women” were war trophies of the southern barbarians, they felt that by rescuing this “trophy” from the southerners, they deserved the right to decide its fate—whether to seize it or give it to someone else, it was all perfectly justified and natural.
Lü Zheng knew this logic was flawed, yet it precisely fit the chaotic laws of the times.
The strong had the right to allocate resources at will, while the weak had no right to their own existence.
However,
Even as ants, they had the right to struggle.
No sooner had Lü Zheng finished speaking than the two men entered the guest courtyard one after the other. The lady turned to perform a grand salute to him.
“Is the lady forcing me to comply?”
Was this meant to be a moral obligation or pushing him into a corner?
“I have a request. However… there is absolutely no intent to force you, sir.”
Lü Zheng furrowed his brows; he wasn’t afraid of trouble but didn’t plan to take on just any trouble. He wasn’t overflowing with love and kindness to spare.
“Lady, you may as well speak. If I can help, I certainly will, but if not, there’s no need for you to come all the way here.”
Lü Zheng’s words were not completely dismissive; they offered a glimmer of hope to her.
She beckoned towards the door separating the inner and outer sections of the guest courtyard, and that simple door opened to reveal a timid face. As Lü Zheng squinted to see, he noticed that the blushing, handsome young servant was actually a girl, small and skinny, but her facial features were exceptional. If she were to grow rounder and her features to blossom even more, she would be a stunning beauty.
“What’s the meaning of this, lady?”
“Come here, quickly greet the sir.” The lady waved at the child, pulling her close as she continued, “To be honest, this child is the offspring of me and my late husband. Back when the southern barbarians invaded, my husband and our family migrated but met with an unfortunate accident, losing his life. To avoid disaster, I had to hide this child and bravely lead the southern barbarians away… Later… later I encountered the current situation and managed to bring my child back. However, her temper has become volatile; she flies into a rage at the slightest disturbance. I had no choice but to falsely claim she was my niece, to keep our family bloodline with me and provide her with food. The past few years have been fine, but as she grows, her looks come to resemble mine and her father’s yet more so, and now… thus… I must find a way for her…”
Lü Zheng, ever astute, realized at once what the lady had encountered, with a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.
According to this lady, her husband had perished right after their misfortune began; she was taken by the southern barbarians and then rescued by An’s sworn brothers, who forcibly claimed her. Facing these hardships, she had managed to survive and raise her daughter. Little did she expect her daughter’s beauty would catch the eye of An’s sworn brother.
“How old is she now?”
The lady replied, “She is already of marriageable age.”
“Twelve years old?”
Lü Zheng was astounded; this skinny girl looked no more than nine or ten.
With her diminutive stature, her eyes appeared particularly large, her hair a dull, sparse yellow.
However, beauty comes from within, and even in her current state, she still shone.
The lady forced a smile, saying, “Two years ago, he noted this child but hesitated due to her young age and delicate appearance. My late husband only had this one child; how could I let her get to this point? For the past two years, I’ve been at my wits’ end to keep her, if not starving her to ruin her features… A mother’s heart, I never imagined it would come to this.”
Lü Zheng asked, “What do you intend to do?”
The lady pleaded, “I earnestly request you take her.”
Lü Zheng nearly choked on his own saliva.
The lady’s words were highly ambiguous.
Recognizing her slip, she explained, “I understand you already have a family… If you are inclined, she could serve as a concubine. If you have kind intentions, then take her as an adopted daughter. When it comes time for marriage, it should be up to her fate, and it wouldn’t cause you any hindrance.”
Lü Zheng countered, “Lady, you truly hold me in high regard.”
The lady replied, “Having seen the black heart of that brute, even if you aren’t perfect, you’re surely better than him.”
The longer she delayed, the more anxious she became. With Lü Zheng visiting today, she couldn’t afford to hesitate.
If she missed this chance, her daughter’s future would truly be ruined.
After pondering extensively, Lü Zheng ultimately agreed to help.
Seizing the opportunity while An’s sworn brother was heavily intoxicated, he boldly stated his interest in acquiring a servant from his residence.
In this era, exchanging concubines was considered an honorable act, not to mention obtaining a servant.
The other party, inebriated and dazed, readily agreed.
As Lü Zheng left, the girl frequently glanced back at the lady, her eyes holding a mixture of confusion and resentment.
“What’s your name?”
Lü Zheng threw his cloak over her to shield her from the cold.
“My surname is Kang, with the given name Xintong.”
Lü Zheng asked, “Do you understand your mother’s intentions?”
He noticed her grass shoes were tattered, her exposed toes cold and blue, her hands chapped, her little face red from the wind. As sharp as he was, he could see the resentment in her eyes and felt a chill.
That resentment was almost palpable.
The girl remained silent for a long time, seemingly unsure how to answer, before finally saying, “I believe… Perhaps she fears I would take her husband, and that’s why she mistreats me… Now she speaks sweetly, claiming to be a kind and loving mother—how can I accept that?”
Lü Zheng listened to her vehement words, contrasting sharply with her earlier timid demeanor, which opened his eyes.
This wasn’t merely a timid little beast; beneath those soft pads lay sharp claws.
“Do you think her sending you to me is to hinder you from winning her favor?”
“She treats me harshly every day, yet now claims it’s for my own good—does such goodness truly exist?” the girl replied. “After my father passed, I never saw a single day of her mourning; she moved on to another man’s bed the very next day… I don’t know, is this what a virtuous wife and caring mother looks like?”
Lü Zheng shook his head.
His own children were still small, yet he could already sense what it felt like to have a rebellious child in his home.
