The night wind made the banners flutter and snap. On the flags of the Huben Army, the fierce golden-embroidered tiger head revealed sharp fangs under the torchlight.
Qin Yining pulled her cloak tight, her long hair flying behind her as she crossed the empty square, walking straight toward the luxurious tent in the center of the opposite camp.
She had investigated beforehand – as commander, Liang Shengjie held the highest military position and therefore lived in the most extravagant tent. This man was not only lazy and pleasure-seeking, but required beautiful women to accompany him every night.
At this hour, ordinary soldiers were already asleep, with only patrol and guard duty soldiers still on watch, making that most luxurious and ornate tent in the center the only place with lamplight.
The Huben Army guards had long since spotted Qin Yining’s figure. Her jade-colored brocade cloak shimmered faintly in the night, making her fair face appear flawless as jade.
In an army where even the rats were male, having a woman – and such a beautiful woman at that – naturally gave them quite an eyeful.
So when the soldiers on guard duty saw Qin Yining approaching, they didn’t stop her, just focused on admiring the view.
Qin Yining sensed several gazes watching her, her whole body feeling as if pierced by needles, the hair on her spine standing on end. But she couldn’t retreat, couldn’t be afraid, couldn’t let her father lose his life trying to protect her.
Lost in thought, she had already reached the tent entrance. Through the bright lamplight, she could see the shadows of furnishings inside the tent.
The two Huben Army guards on duty looked at each other, both somewhat hesitant.
Such a delicate beauty standing outside the tent late at night – she was clearly throwing herself into someone’s arms.
Should they stop her? Or not stop her? Or definitely not stop her?
The two exchanged a knowing look and said nothing.
Qin Yining’s face flushed red. She pressed her red lips together before saying: “This young lady, surnamed Qin, requests an audience with My Lord.”
The tent was completely quiet.
Just as Qin Yining was nervously and awkwardly breaking into a sweat, she finally heard a voice from inside: “Enter.”
Qin Yining gripped the dagger in her sleeve tightly, steadied her nerves, then slowly stepped forward and lifted the tent flap to enter.
The two Huben Army guards on duty looked at each other again, both revealing knowing smiles.
Four silk lanterns burned in the tent. On the left side was a side table with books and maps neatly arranged on top. Behind the side table was a folding chair, and a precious sword hung on the tent wall behind the chair.
The right side was covered with red felt carpeting, with a screen placed in the middle. Outside the screen was a military cot with bedding neatly folded on top.
A lamp seemed to be burning inside the screen, casting the outline of a bathtub onto the screen. There was a figure in the bathtub – clearly someone bathing. The sound of trickling water came through, and Qin Yining could see the silhouette of arms splashing water.
Qin Yining’s face immediately turned completely red.
No matter how strong she was, she was still an unmarried young lady. Just thinking about Liang Shengjie’s old, fat body made her feel goosebumps all over and waves of nausea rolling in her stomach.
It seemed that no matter how clearly she had thought things through when coming here, when actually facing it, she couldn’t remain completely unmoved.
Qin Yining bowed and said: “This young lady, surnamed Qin, pays respects to My Lord.”
A low, hoarse male voice came from that direction, speaking in a slow tempo: “Miss Qin, didn’t you look down on this official the other day? Coming here in the middle of the night today, aren’t you afraid this official will devour you?”
These words were spoken crudely. Qin Yining felt both ashamed and angry hearing them, but couldn’t lose her temper. She could only say in a low voice: “My Lord is a man of understanding. My Lord should understand this young lady’s purpose in coming today.”
“Oh? Then tell me, what purpose do you have?”
Hearing his frivolous tone, Qin Yining wished she could simply stab him dead with one knife thrust, but the peace talks couldn’t succeed without this person’s seal. She could only say:
“If My Lord is willing to seal the already negotiated contract, this young lady will naturally satisfy My Lord’s requirements.”
“Ha ha, you little lady, you do understand what’s called national righteousness, actually willing to sacrifice yourself for that foolish ruler of yours?”
Qin Yining didn’t want to acknowledge Liang Shengjie’s mockery. She slowly gripped the dagger in her hand tighter and said again: “Does My Lord agree?”
“What if I don’t agree? What do you plan to do then?”
The sound of splashing water rang out. Qin Yining saw a man’s silhouette reflected on the screen and shyly lowered her head immediately. She heard rustling sounds of fabric, then keenly sensed presumptuous gazes falling on her body. An unfamiliar man’s scent drew closer and closer, and bare male feet appeared in her lowered line of sight – feet with prominent tendons on the insteps that looked very strong.
Qin Yining gripped her dagger tight and couldn’t help but step back.
Who knew that in the next instant, she would be embraced by iron arms, held tightly against a burning chest.
She suddenly looked up, meeting Pang Xiao’s handsome face directly.
“You, you…”
His long hair was pinned up high, with water droplets falling from the ends onto the thin, snow-white fabric on his shoulders, making that patch of cloth transparent. Qin Yining’s hands pressed forcefully against his warm chest – she could even feel the firm muscles that were soft yet strong beneath her palms, and the powerful beating of his heart under those muscles.
“How is it you!” Qin Yining’s eyes went completely round.
“If not me, did you hope it would be that old dog Liang?”
“I wasn’t… I came to…”
“You came to throw yourself at that old dog Liang? Or…” One of his large hands suddenly grabbed her wrist, and with a clever twist, the dagger from her sleeve fell into his hand. Her body turned in a different direction, his hand firmly gripping her slender waist, her back pressed against his chest.
He rested his chin on her shoulder, inhaling the fragrance from her hair and neck, murmuring: “Or did you come to assassinate?”
How could Qin Yining have expected that it wasn’t Liang Shengjie living in the main tent? And being in such close contact with a man for the first time, her mind was becoming complete mush, only focused on struggling with all her might.
“Let go of me!”
“I won’t.”
“Pang Zhixi, let go!”
“I won’t! This lord just won’t let go! What, you can come serve that old dog Liang, but can’t let this lord hold you!”
“You scoundrel!”