Chapter 1682 – Conquering Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Ninety)
“【You want cremation?】”
People have all sorts of thoughts about death and the soul.
If cremation is used, it’s akin to crushing bones and scattering ashes. Other than Kang Xintong, it’s the first time the emperor has heard someone voluntarily request such a thing.
“【I was born during the twenty-year unprecedented heavy snow in Nan Sheng, and I’ve heard the servants talk about it… Everything was one color, vast and pure white…】” After three days of relentless torture, if it weren’t for Kang Xintong’s unyielding will, she would have long since returned to the underworld. Her voice was weak, like a mosquito’s whisper. This was more like an expression of her innermost thoughts than a narrative. “【I’ve seen the rotting corpses—decaying flesh, water-soaked bones, not even the most beautiful person can escape this fate. I was born clean; let me not die dirty. Isn’t burning me just fine?】”
The emperor responded, “【As you wish.】”
In the end, Kang Xintong, adorned in prison clothes stained with blood like a wedding gown, set herself ablaze. Regardless of the wicked deeds this woman committed in life, when one dies, it’s like extinguishing a candle. Wei Ci also witnessed her silence in the inferno, after which he paid no further attention.
Time flew by, and unexpectedly, they would meet again.
Wei Ci thought that in this lifetime of such great changes, perhaps Kang Xintong had perished in the disaster, and even if she miraculously survived, her fate would likely differ from her past life, leaving her unable to stir up trouble again. To his surprise, she had transformed into Lü Zheng’s foster daughter…
Though Wei Ci typically disliked gossip, he felt a twinge of curiosity and began to subtly inquire how Lü Zheng had taken her in.
“Focus on your marital principles,” Lü Zheng shot him a sidelong glance, warning in a nonchalant manner, “After all, she’s someone with a family.”
Wei Ci nearly choked on Lü Zheng’s words.
Just a moment ago, they shared a brotherly bond, yet in the blink of an eye, they were sticking daggers into each other’s hearts?
He’d bet that the term “marital principles” was likely something Lü Zheng picked up from his own lord.
“Where is your mind wandering, Shiyin?” Wei Ci couldn’t help but interject to keep Lü Zheng from overthinking. “I merely noticed that this girl’s features are unusual, and her fate has peculiarities. That’s why I asked a couple of questions. Since she’s your foster daughter, she’s technically my junior, right? Why would an elder have such bizarre thoughts about a girl who hasn’t even reached maturity? Besides, this isn’t something to joke about; the lord might take it seriously…”
Lü Zheng paused, recalling that Wei Ci was indeed a bit of a mystic.
“Is her fate truly peculiar?”
Being a foster daughter he held feelings for, Lü Zheng didn’t want anything bad to happen to her and wished to avoid any potential troubles.
Wei Ci declared, “Beautiful women face many hardships.”
Without needing further explanation, Lü Zheng understood. He sighed, succinctly narrating Kang Xintong’s past experiences.
Wei Ci’s statement about beautiful women facing hardships aligned perfectly with Kang Xintong’s prior encounters, so Lü Zheng naturally had no doubts.
“She’s a child of misfortune.” If possible, Lü Zheng genuinely hoped for Kang Xintong to have a smooth life. “You say her features are unique and her fate peculiar… Could there be more twists? Is it a blessing or a curse? Can she turn her fate around in the future?”
Wei Ci remarked, “She has encountered a noble, her fate will undoubtedly improve compared to before.”
Lü Zheng smiled, “If that’s the case, I can rest assured.”
While this conversation unfolded, Kang Xintong was already swiftly preparing dinner, and Wei Ci took the opportunity to stick around for a meal.
After dining, as dusk fell, Kang Xintong stood to escort Wei Ci out while nervously remaining silent the whole way.
After seeing Wei Ci off, she hurriedly sought out her foster father.
“Foster father, will we be living here from now on?”
She initially expected to face prison, yet the treatment after being captured by the enemy was even better than when under An Huan’s custody.
If she had known it would turn out this way, she would have encouraged her foster father to change jobs long ago.
Lü Zheng, adopting the mindset of “better a short pain than a long one,” frowned as he drank the bitter medicinal concoction.
He couldn’t tell if it was his imagination, but he felt the medicine prescribed by the doctor was much more bitter than the previous one.
“You seem quite pleased?”
Lü Zheng couldn’t help but remind his foster daughter that they were both prisoners; what was there to be happy about?
Kang Xintong replied, “I observed that uncle’s character is quite amiable. If one day we become colleagues, won’t that be much better than before?”
Lü Zheng: “…”
Just how much did his foster daughter despise An Huan?
After a while, as Kang Xintong helped tidy up the dishes, she suddenly remembered something.
“Foster father! Foster father!”
“What is it? Speak!”
Kang Xintong asked, “Will Lord Lan Ting personally come to recruit you?”
Her foster father was indeed a talent; surely, Lord Lan Ting would make the effort to come and personally show his seriousness.
Lü Zheng turned to look at his foster daughter, feeling an inexplicable feeling rise inside him.
What could one do when a child only had elbows directed outward?
Oh well, it’s probably just her being silly; a good thrashing would fix it.
Of course, Lü Zheng couldn’t bring himself to hit the child; he could only bottle up those emotions deep inside.
Liu Lanting having caused issues for Wei Ci and himself wasn’t enough; now he was somehow targeting his foster daughter too.
Heh—
A woman so caring, yet also frivolous.
Lü Zheng sneered repeatedly as Jiang Pengji let out a loud sneeze, her eyes becoming even more misty. At this time of year when the seasons changed, illnesses spread more than usual, and Li Yun and the others were concerned their lord might catch something, asking with care, “Is the lord unwell?”
Jiang Pengji waved her hand, rubbing her nose, “I’m fine; it’s just a slight tickle in my nose.”
Seeing her normal demeanor, Li Yun and the others relaxed.
Jiang Pengji stated, “Tonight, An Huan and the others will surely send people to launch a sneak attack. Is everything ready at the granary?”
Li Yun replied, “General Fu has already led the troops to set up an ambush, ensuring nothing goes wrong.”
An Huan’s side had run out of food supplies; Jiang Pengji had pointed him towards a “bright road,” forcing An Huan, with nowhere else to turn, to take the bait.
“Tell Zheng Tu not to be careless. Whether this war can end decisively depends on him.”
Jiang Pengji offered this reminder, not seeming to want to involve herself further.
Li Yun cupped his fist, “This subordinate obeys.”
Jiang Pengji did not personally lead troops to the ambush, but she wasn’t quietly waiting in the camp for news either.
【What a bold face】: Tsk, tsk, didn’t the anchor just say she wouldn’t recklessly fight on the battlefield?
【Night God Wind Fury】: The anchor doesn’t seem to be aiming to lead troops to smash An Huan’s head.
The idlers thought Jiang Pengji was going to make a grand return to the scene, only to be surprised that she merely took out over a thousand troops to stake out a certain high mountain gorge.
Just as they puzzled over it, Jiang Pengji opened her mouth to explain.
“If An Huan’s forces are defeated, they probably won’t retreat along the original path.” The enemy had already set up ambushes in advance; following the original route would be a death wish, naturally leading them to seek other paths. Scanning the nearby terrain, Jiang Pengji believed this spot was a suitable location to lay in wait for rabbits. She was ready to stand by for a catch, perhaps even netting a big fish. “The terrain here is just right; it also offers a distant view of the granary.”
