The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 703 Surrounded by Beauties
The Harahui tribe was swiftly wiped out. Except for the women, all the men were killed, and the tribal chief was publicly beheaded, his head displayed on the city wall.

It must be said that Eunuch Duan was quite ruthless in this regard. As Sima Qian said, "Barbarians are beasts; they fear power but do not cherish virtue." Eunuch Duan clearly regarded this statement as a golden rule and resolutely implemented it to the end.

Although Jia Huan was also decisive in killing, as a transmigrator, he couldn't be as ruthless as Duan Yong. However, when appeasement was ineffective, it was still necessary to establish authority appropriately. Since Duan Yong was willing to be the villain, then let him be the villain.

The Halahui tribe was considered a large tribe in the Hami region, with a population of over a thousand. However, it was wiped out by the Jin army in the blink of an eye. The deterrent effect was undoubtedly strong. The remaining tribes were all walking on thin ice, trembling with fear. Some tribes even began to curry favor with Duan Yong in order to buy peace, and took the initiative to send horses, cattle, sheep, melons and fruits to reward the Jin army.

Duan Yong then ran up to Jia Huan and boasted, "These barbarians only remember being beaten and never being eaten. If you are kind to them, they will think you are weak and easy to bully. If you are cruel to them, they will become obsequious. Hehe, do you think so, Lord Jia?"

Jia Huan could only give a thumbs up and praise, "What Eunuch Duan said is absolutely right!"

Duan Yong laughed triumphantly, but did not forget to flatter him: "This time we were able to find the traitor in the Halahui tribe, all thanks to Lord Jia's brilliant strategy. Well, Lord Jia is injured, so I won't disturb you any longer. Take good care of yourself. When Turpan attacks the city, we will still have to rely on Lord Jia's strategic planning."

"You flatter me, Eunuch Duan. Please forgive me for not being able to see you off." Jia Huan cupped his hands, which were bandaged like crab claws.

Duan Yong chuckled and said, "Lord Jia, there's no need to see me off. Take good care of your injuries." With that, he left the governor's office with a few eunuchs.

As soon as Duan Yong left, the ladies, including Daiyu and Baochai, came out from behind the screen. Lin Daiyu complained, "Why did Huan come out to see me when he's so badly injured? He keeps nagging and won't let me rest. He's so annoying!"

Jia Huan laughed and said, "I am the governor and he is the military supervisor. He came to visit me to check on my injuries, so I couldn't refuse, especially since we also have official business to discuss."

"What trouble or official business? I think he wiped out someone's entire clan and came here specifically to show off to you, Huan-di. Anyway, does your wound still hurt?" Lin Daiyu looked at Jia Huan's hands, which were wrapped in bandages, and couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. She was indeed all bark and no bite.

"It seems to hurt even more than before," Jia Huan said pitifully.

Lin Daiyu's eyes reddened upon hearing this, and she scolded, "You're now experiencing the pain in your heart, aren't you? Will you still dare to play the hero and save the beauty in the future?"

Jia Huan could only offer a wry smile, looking pleadingly at Baochai. She found it both amusing and heartbreaking, but hardened her heart and reprimanded him, "Logically speaking, I shouldn't be adding fuel to the fire at this time, but Huan-di's actions yesterday were truly reckless. Confucius said, 'A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall,' yet you repeatedly put yourself in danger. Back in the day…"

Xue Baochai originally wanted to mention the time when she was kidnapped by bandits and taken to a ship, and Jia Huan saved her by offering himself as a hostage. However, the words of blame could not be uttered. If it hadn't been for Huan-di's life-saving rescue, she and Qin-mei would not know what would have happened to them.
Thinking of the past, Xue Baochai felt a surge of tenderness in her heart, which eventually turned into a soft sigh. She said softly, "It's alright. Fortunately, we escaped unharmed this time. Huan-di, please don't do that again. You won't always be so lucky. If you had fallen into that bottomless abyss today, what would I... what would I and Pin'er have done?"

As Xue Baochai spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, and she lowered her head in silence, half worried and half shy. Her beauty was truly captivating.

Seeing the deep affection between the beauties, Jia Huan was both delighted and ashamed. He grasped Daiyu's hands and said, "Good sister, I was wrong. I will never dare to do it again!"

Lin Daiyu gently poked Jia Huan's forehead with her slender finger and scolded, "You count for yourself, how many times have you said this to me? How many times have you said it to Sister Bao? You forget it as soon as you turn your head." After saying that, she turned away and sulked.

Jia Huan shamelessly turned Lin Daiyu's shoulders around and used the trick that Da Lianbao usually used, calling her "good sister" and "good younger sister" tens of thousands of times, finally making Daiyu laugh.

Xueyan said with a smile, "Alright, alright, Miss is laughing. Third Master, please don't blame me for being nosy. You should take better care of yourself in the future. If you don't think about yourself, you should think about Miss Lin and Miss Bao."

Jia Huan nodded repeatedly in agreement, and Ying'er laughed, "Alright, alright, it's like a joint trial. After the young lady finished her trial, even the maids are being interrogated. If others didn't know, they would think that the Third Master has violated the heavenly law!"

The women couldn't help but laugh. Jia Huan, still holding Daiyu's hands, said in a sickeningly sweet voice, "I have indeed broken the law and deserve to die for making my two good sisters worry about me!" Daiyu and Baochai both blushed, feeling a sweet warmth in their hearts. At this moment, a guard outside reported, "Princess Ayina requests an audience with the Governor."

Jia Huan glanced at Lin Daiyu, who had a half-smile on her face, and coughed lightly, asking, "Is there something she needs?"

"They said they came to deliver medicine to the governor!" the guard replied.

Jia Huan waved his hand: "I have applied the medicine and am resting now. Please convey my thanks to Your Highness for your kindness."

The guards left to carry out their orders, and Lin Daiyu asked curiously, "They kindly brought you medicine, why didn't Huan-di see him?"

"I'm just afraid you'll get jealous and overthink things," Jia Huan muttered to himself, but said seriously, "I'm tired and don't want to see any outsiders. Besides, with my two good sisters here, I don't want to see anyone else. I just want to stay with you."

Lin Daiyu felt a surge of joy and smiled, "Since the person is nowhere to be found, I'll at least accept the medicine, so that people won't think the governor is heartless."

Jia Huan forced a smile and said, "If I accept it, my sister will start to worry again. She'll say something about a hero saving a beauty or a beauty giving medicine. What should I do then?"

Lin Daiyu blushed instantly, and all the maids covered their mouths and chuckled. Xue Baochai couldn't help but smile as well.

"I'm going home!" Lin Daiyu was about to leave when Jia Huan grabbed her and embraced her warm, soft body.

"Good sister, I will never talk nonsense again." Jia Huan hugged Lin Daiyu and apologized with a smile. The latter tried to break free a few times but could not, and was afraid of hurting Jia Huan's wound, so she could only give up struggling in the end.

The women stayed for about half an hour, urging Jia Huan to take good care of his injuries before reluctantly bidding farewell and returning to their residence in the Hami Royal Palace. Jia Huan was finally able to calm down and think about some things.

Yesterday's elaborate scheme to lure the mole out was largely successful, successfully exposing the traitor from the Harahui tribe. However, the mole turned out not to be Amulang, which surprised Jia Huan. In fact, when Amahei was rescued that night, Jia Huan's primary suspect was Amulang, but now it seems he had suspected the wrong person.

As Jia Huan was deep in thought, he suddenly heard light footsteps outside the door. Looking up, he saw that Xueyan had returned. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Did Sister Lin leave something behind?"

Xueyan blushed slightly and said, "Third Master's hand is injured, and Jinbao and Muye are clumsy, so Miss asked me to stay and serve Third Master."

Jia Huan paused for a moment, then remembered what Daiyu had whispered in his ear that night. His heart skipped a beat, and he coughed lightly, saying, "This... no need. You should go back and serve Sister Lin."

Xueyan pouted and said, "Does Third Master think I'm clumsy and don't serve well? Then I'll go back and have Sister Zijuan come instead."

Jia Huan quickly replied, "No, you're overthinking it!"

Xueyan immediately smiled and said, "Then this servant will stay, it's settled then!" After saying that, she stepped forward lightly to help tidy up the desk.

(End of this chapter)