"Madam..." Song Mo, seeing his subordinates all slain, leaving only his armless self clinging to a wretched existence in the walkway, felt his legs turn to jelly. With a sickening thud, he collapsed to his knees. "Please... I beg you... raise your noble hand... grant me... a path to survival..." The terror of impending death was a palpable, chilling presence for Song Mo now. Under the combined assault of excruciating pain and overwhelming fear, his teeth began to chatter uncontrollably as he spoke.
Zhao Zhangru offered no reply. Instead, she turned her gaze towards the distant second-floor window of the main hall. Wei Tingyu, who had been leisurely observing the "entertainment," had now risen to his feet. Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu, however, were nowhere to be seen.
Zhao Zhangru knew her two "sisters" could not stomach such gruesome scenes. They had undoubtedly averted their eyes when Yan Chaoqing and Song Mo's other henchmen had met their ends. And now, faced with the prospect of their good sister Zhao Zhangru about to personally take a life, they would surely not dare to witness the act itself!
To be truthful, Zhao Zhangru's own heart was thumping with a degree of trepidation. For her, too, this was the first time she would personally take a human life. Yet, she understood with stark clarity: if she wished to become the Lord Marquis's true right-hand woman in the future, she had to conquer this fear! In matters of managing the inner household, or in the realm of business and finance, she could not compare to Dou Zhao or Miao Ansu; she could not assist the Marquis in those domains. Therefore, her path lay in exerting herself through combat and bloodshed!
When Wei Tingyu saw Zhao Zhangru's gaze meet his, he simply raised his right hand and made a decisive, downward chopping gesture in the air.
"Young Master Mei... no, wait! I should address you as Your Highness, the Young Lord!" Having received her command, Zhao Zhangru nodded, took a deep, steadying breath, and advanced. She placed the cold steel of her saber against Song Mo's exposed neck, looking down upon him imperiously. "You wish to live?"
"...Yes!" Song Mo stammered, nodding his head with frantic repetition. Of course, he wanted to live! Even an ant clings desperately to its wretched existence; how much more so a man like him?
"Yet, it was Your Highness who ordered the slaughter of this entire villa, with such decisiveness and utter lack of hesitation!" Zhao Zhangru let out a cold, scornful laugh, her eyes fixed on the desperate, pleading survival instinct blazing in Song Mo's. "I daresay this isn't the first time you've committed such an act! To safeguard the secrets of your Dingguo Army, who knows how many innocent souls have perished under your blades! And now you claim you wish to live?" Zhao Zhangru's expression turned increasingly glacial, her gaze upon the ant-like figure of Song Mo before her filled with nothing but contempt!
These soldiers of the Dingguo Army, upon receiving their master's command to slaughter even women and children, had shown not even a flicker of hesitation... Reflecting upon it now, were not all those widespread rumors about their devotion to the common folk, their role as protectors of the nation, nothing more than utter hogwash?
"..." Hearing Zhao Zhangru's severe indictment, Song Mo, whose consciousness was already dimming from blood loss, still struggled to lift his head, his gaze falling upon the woman before him. In a sudden, stark flash of lightning, she appeared before him like a veritable harbinger of death, his fragile life held within her grasp!
Yet, Song Mo simply could not fathom it. By all rights, Wei Tingyu was a peer of noble lineage, a marquis of high standing; his consorts would naturally be ladies of noble birth! Why then would these aristocrats deign to speak up for those commoners, who were no more than ants in their eyes? The lives of those peasants were so utterly worthless; for them to die to safeguard the secrets of the Dingguo Army—that should have been their greatest honor!
"Still can't comprehend?" Zhao Zhangru looked at Song Mo kneeling before her and let out a cold snort. Then, with a swift, decisive movement, her saber descended. She knew that further words or attempts at reasoning with this scoundrel were utterly futile! If he couldn't understand it in this life, he could take his questions to King Yama's court in the next!
Shlick! Thud! With two sickeningly soft sounds, Song Mo's head was sent flying high into the air, then tumbled off the covered walkway to land amidst the torrential downpour. His eyes, wide with an eternal, uncomprehending stare, remained open for a full three or four seconds before slowly, finally, closing. His headless torso then crumpled to the ground like a boneless sack of cotton.
"Hoo!" Witnessing the gruesome aftermath, a fleeting shadow of trepidation flickered in Zhao Zhangru's eyes! But it lasted only an instant, swiftly supplanted by an ironclad resolve. This was the first time in her life she had taken a human life. The sensation sent her heart hammering against her ribs like a war drum! Yet, for reasons she couldn't quite grasp, the fear that had initially gripped her seemed to evaporate in that very same moment!
The soft sound of footsteps approached from behind. Zhao Zhangru turned to see Wei Tingyu emerging slowly from the shadows.
"My Lord Marquis!" The moment she saw him, without a second thought, Zhao Zhangru let her twin sabers clatter to the ground and flung herself into his embrace.
"There, there. It's alright now," Wei Tingyu murmured, gently patting the delicate back of the concubine nestled in his arms. He could feel her slender frame still trembling faintly, and his voice was soft with reassurance.
"My Lord Marquis... This concubine... I was a little frightened!" Zhao Zhangru confessed, her eyes squeezed shut, her head pressed tightly against Wei Tingyu's chest. Only the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat could gradually soothe her frayed nerves.
"It's nothing to worry about," Wei Tingyu chuckled softly, continuing his gentle consolation. "That arch-villain intended to massacre every soul in our villa, sparing not even the old, the weak, women, or children! In slaying him, you were merely acting as an agent of Heaven's justice, ridding the world of a menace to society!"
"No! It's not the killing that frightens this concubine!" Zhao Zhangru, however, quickly shook her head. "What frightens me... is that after I killed him... I actually felt a sense of... happiness... and exhilaration. My Lord, does that make me... a wicked woman?"
"How could that be?" Hearing Zhao Zhangru's explanation, Wei Tingyu instantly understood that this fiery young woman had been startled by her own psychological reaction. He shook his head gently, then cupped the tear-streaked face still buried in his chest, tilting it upwards. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and said, "You felt happy because you eliminated a great fiend! Not only did you avenge those he unjustly slaughtered before, but you also prevented countless more innocents from falling victim to his butcher's blade in the future! Therefore, you are still that same Heroine Zhao! Upholding justice, helping the weak against the strong! It is only natural that you would feel a sense of elation!"
He's right! Zhao Zhangru was momentarily stunned by Wei Tingyu's words, but then, the knot in her heart loosened. She pondered it carefully—it was indeed so! When she had struck down that villain Song Mo, her mind had been filled with thoughts of enacting Heaven's justice, not with some perverse pleasure in the act of killing itself! Did this mean... she truly was material born to be a sword-wielding heroine? The realization brought a wave of relief to Zhao Zhangru. She slowly looped her arm through Wei Tingyu's, her demeanor transforming back into that of a charming, slightly coy young woman.
Wei Tingyu, seeing her transformation, offered no teasing comment. Instead, he cast a subtle glance towards the Silver Shadow Guards still standing steadfastly in the pouring rain. They immediately nodded in understanding and began the grim task of clearing the battlefield. After all, the scattered limbs and corpses could hardly be left lying about.
...
And just as Wei Tingyu escorted Zhao Zhangru back into the main house, he discovered that Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu had not retired to their respective chambers. Instead, they were both nestled together on his large bed, chattering away in soft tones. This did not surprise Wei Tingyu in the slightest. The reason was simple: after the terrifying events of the night, these two ladies would undoubtedly be somewhat frightened; it was only natural they wouldn't dare to sleep alone.
Casting a glance at Zhao Zhangru beside him, Wei Tingyu noted that the fiery young woman had evidently come to some realization, for her petite face had flushed a becoming shade of crimson. Such a demure blush was a rare sight indeed on the countenance of the valiant Heroine Zhao!
As Wei Tingyu met the combined gaze of three pairs of luminous, beautiful eyes fixed expectantly upon him, he felt the ambient temperature in the room suddenly spike by several degrees.
"Very well then!" In such a situation, he was hardly one to hesitate. With a roguish grin, he swept Zhao Zhangru, who was standing beside him, into a princess carry and strode purposefully towards the bed. Alas, he thought with mock solemnity, it seems my old back is in for a strenuous night...
...
Half a shichen later (one hour), a group of individuals clad in straw rain capes and conical hats, dressed in simple cloth garments and bearing swords, arrived at the mountain villa's outer gates, once again rapping sharply upon them.
"Villa Master Tan!" Su Xin and Su Lan emerged, presenting the infant Song Mo had brought to the leader of the newcomers. "This orphaned heir of Duke Dingguo is hereby entrusted to your care. Henceforth, there shall be no Dingguo Army in this world, nor any Duke Dingguo!"
"Then... the Young Lord...?" Villa Master Tan was taken aback. He had received intelligence instructing him to rendezvous here with Song Mo, who would be escorting Duke Dingguo's heir. Yet, upon arrival, he found no sign of Song Mo or his men—only this infant.
"The great tide has turned; the situation is beyond remedy," Su Xin and Su Lan stated gravely, looking directly at Villa Master Tan. "From this day forward, Villa Master Tan, you will hear no further news concerning the Dingguo Army or its Young Lord."
"I understand! This child shall henceforth live as an ordinary commoner, never knowing of his true lineage!" Seeing that the maids had spoken with such finality, Villa Master Tan nodded his solemn assent. He was here merely to repay a debt of gratitude; he would not pry further into matters that did not concern him. Assuming this to be Song Mo's final arrangement, he accepted the swaddled infant and, with his retinue, turned and disappeared into the lashing rain and the vast, dark night.
"Whether this child lives or dies, whatever fortune or misfortune his destiny holds, it will be entirely up to his own making. It no longer concerns us," Su Xin declared, only then signaling a nearby servant to close the heavy gates. She then turned to Su Lan.
"This was indeed the most prudent course of action," Su Lan agreed with a nod. In that moment, Wei Tingyu's stature in their hearts grew even taller. "After all, our Lord Marquis is not wantonly cruel like that Song Mo, who would have slaughtered even an infant in its swaddling clothes without a second thought!"
Unfortunately, they were also keenly aware of their own status: merely dowry maids accompanying Dou Zhao. Moreover, their martial skills were mediocre at best. How could they possibly catch the discerning eye of the Lord Marquis? If only, like Concubine Miao or Concubine Zhao, they could be elevated to become one of the Marquis's favored companions of the pillow... that would truly make this life worth living, a journey not undertaken in vain!
These twin sisters, it seemed, possessed a true spiritual connection, for their unspoken thoughts were perfectly aligned! At that precise moment, both girls lifted their eyes and met each other's gaze. Instantaneous understanding flashed between them! So, my elder sister (younger sister) is harboring the very same thoughts as I!
"Elder Sister..."
"Hush, say no more!" Both sisters' cheeks flushed a charming crimson simultaneously, and then, almost in the same instant, each reached out to cover the other's mouth. Such words must not be uttered! As long as they remain unspoken, we can continue this sweet self-deception!
Yet, as they both lifted their gazes towards the window of the main chamber on the second floor, they saw the candlelight within flicker and extinguish at that very moment. A shared pang of melancholy couldn't help but arise in their hearts. That room... it was a place that they, the two sisters, could now only gaze upon with longing, a realm beyond their reach.
...
Early the next morning, before she even had time to attend to her toilette, Zhao Zhangru flung open her window with a brisk thwack. Instantly, a cool, refreshing breeze, carrying the mingled scents of fresh grass and damp earth, rushed into her nostrils.
"Aiya! The air after the rain is so wonderfully fresh!" Zhao Zhangru, having felt cooped up in her room all night, greedily inhaled two deep lungfuls. Gazing out at the vibrant emerald panorama before her, she couldn't help but clap her hands in delight.
From her vantage point, the distant verdant mountains and lush trees were a sight to behold, naturally! Even the flagstones of the courtyard below had been scoured clean by the previous night's torrential downpour; not a single trace of blood remained visible! As for the corpses, the Silver Shadow Guards had undoubtedly disposed of them with quiet efficiency. Buried deep within these ancient mountain forests, no one would ever know that Song Mo, the once-renowned General of the Dingguo Army and heir to the Ducal Manor, along with his contingent of loyal subordinates, now lay interred in this very spot!
"Honestly, how can you call yourself a proper wife and concubine, behaving in such a manner!" At that moment, Dou Zhao was assisting Wei Tingyu with his robes. Seeing her elder cousin abandoning her duties to their husband to instead gaze out the window at some scenery, she couldn't help but frown and voice her light rebuke.
"It can't be helped! Sister Ru is simply that way inclined!" Miao Ansu, who was assisting Dou Zhao, offered a gentle smile upon hearing the exchange. "Besides, she performed a great meritorious service for the Lord Marquis last night. It is only natural that His Lordship would dote on her and excuse her from such mundane chores!"
"What are you talking about? I merely... forgot for a moment..." Zhao Zhangru, her face flushing at her sisters' teasing, could no longer maintain her nonchalance. She hastily ducked her head and hurried back, then adopted a charmingly demure posture as she knelt beside Wei Tingyu, joining Miao Ansu in adjusting his waistband.
"~Attending to the Lord Marquis is our foremost duty, and you can forget that!" Miao Ansu, of course, relished these playful verbal spars with Zhao Zhangru. It had been so even when they were unmarried bosom friends; now that they were sisters sharing the same household, she certainly wasn't about to let such an opportunity pass.
"I..." Zhao Zhangru, despite her generally forthright and bold personality, was decidedly no match for Miao Ansu when it came to witty repartee. She was quickly rendered speechless, her small face flushing a delightful shade of crimson from exasperation! Finally, having no other recourse, she lifted her gaze to Wei Tingyu, who stood before them, and began to wheedle coquettishly, "My Lord Marquis! Your little concubine here is bullying me, and you're not even going to intervene..."
"The Lord Marquis has a myriad of important state affairs to manage each day. Must he be troubled with such trivial matters of the inner household as well?" Miao Ansu, completely unfazed, merely blinked innocently at Zhao Zhangru. "Instead of trying to win over the Lord Marquis with your charms, you'd be better off appealing to Sister Zhao. She, after all, is the First Madam, the mistress of this household. We concubines are under her jurisdiction!"
Did Zhao Zhangru not know this simple fact? Of course, she did! But the crucial issue was that Dou Zhao was her own younger cousin! To expect an elder cousin to act coquettishly towards her younger cousin? How could the dignified Heroine Zhao possibly bring herself to do such a thing? It was a matter of face!
"Alright, alright, that's enough bickering, you two!" Dou Zhao interjected with a warm laugh, observing her two bosom friends squabbling playfully around Wei Tingyu as they helped him dress and prepare for the day. It was evident that after the events of the previous night, the bond between the three women had indeed grown even stronger. At this moment, they seemed even closer than true blood-sisters!
In which other royal or noble household could one find such harmony in the rear court? The thought brought a small, smug smile to Dou Zhao's lips. Of course, when she recalled that the three of them, her "sisters," had not separated the previous night but had all remained together in the main chamber, her face burned with an even deeper blush. Such... unconventional arrangements were likely unheard of in the rear courts of other princes and nobles! But in the end, she supposed, the "blame" lay with that captivating man, Wei Tingyu! Who else but their own Lord Husband, so extraordinarily outstanding, could inspire all three of them, three "sisters," to willingly entrust their all to him?
...
"My dear wife! Just how many estates does your grandmother possess? Why must we now journey all the way to the Eastern Capital?" In the gently swaying carriage, Wei Tingyu, with Dou Zhao nestled on his left and Miao Ansu on his right, voiced his complaint with a mock-aggrieved expression.
"If My Lord Marquis finds the journey too wearisome, you are, of course, free to return to the capital on your own!" Dou Zhao retorted, observing Wei Tingyu's reluctant demeanor. She then shot a mischievous wink at Miao Ansu. "I can manage the inspections by myself! Let Susu accompany you back to the manor!"
"Oh, no, I won't!" Miao Ansu immediately chimed in, shaking her head vigorously. "I shall accompany Sister Zhao on her inspections. Let Sister Ru escort the Lord Marquis back to the manor!"
"And I'm not returning either!" Zhao Zhangru's voice promptly floated in from outside, where she rode alongside the carriage. "I've been utterly stifled back at the manor! Now that I finally have a chance to get out and about, I absolutely must visit the Eastern Capital before even thinking of returning! In my opinion, it should be Madam who accompanies the Lord Marquis back. Susu and I can handle the inspections in your stead!"
This entire exchange unfolded before Wei Tingyu's eyes, causing dark lines to appear on his forehead. Good heavens, he thought, these three women don't even need to rehearse; they can spontaneously launch into a coordinated performance! One has to admit, the telepathic understanding between these bosom friends is truly remarkable! Verbally, they were all pushing the responsibility onto each other, but in reality, none of them had any intention of returning, and all were determined to drag him along for a jaunt to the Eastern Capital.
He never would have imagined it! In his previous life, modern men had to endure accompanying their wives and girlfriends on shopping sprees until their legs were ready to break. And now, having transmigrated into this feudal era as a distinguished Marquis, he still had to escort his consorts on their "outings"—and this particular "outing" spanned the entire distance from the Capital to the Eastern Capital! Oh, the bitter fate of a man! Wei Tingyu grumbled fiercely in his heart, then closed his eyes and spoke no more, effectively surrendering to his destiny.
And Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu, nestled comfortably in his embrace, observing their Lord Marquis's comically frustrated expression of unspoken suffering, couldn't help but exchange a knowing glance and suppress delighted smiles.
...
And so, the carriage swayed along its leisurely path for several days. Fortunately, with the ever-vigilant Silver Shadow Guards attending them on all sides, there was never a shortage of wild fowl and game from the mountains gracing their dining table each day. Such rustic delicacies offered a unique and rather enjoyable flavor. Wei Tingyu discovered, to his own mild surprise, that he rather enjoyed this sensation of traveling with his beautiful consorts in tow! Indeed, riding in the carriage was not tiring in the least; it merely consumed time. But with three exquisite beauties for company, that time passed with exceptional joy!
And it was precisely by taking advantage of this opportunity that he began to gain a deeper understanding of this "integrated film and television universe" in which he now found himself.