My lord, spare his life!

"Lord Puyang, it's been a long time."

After not seeing him for more than half a year, the person who came looked much more mature.

The childishness of youth has faded, replaced by a more profound and weathered look. Dressed in white robes and black armor, with unkempt stubble on his face and unconcealed weariness in his eyes, he bears the marks of a long journey.

Puyang Kui asked in surprise, "Who are you?"

The person in front of me looks somewhat familiar.

"Shen Zhi, courtesy name Shude."

You can tell who Puyang Kui is just by hearing his name.

When Lord Zhang Yang rescued her, Shen Zhi was also present. However, after leaving the city, Shen Zhi left first, and Puyang Kui missed him, so they didn't meet. Puyang Kui had only met Shen Zhi a few times, but was more familiar with Shen Zhi's elder brother. She casually asked, "How is your brother doing? I heard from Lord Zhang Yang that you were going to Dog Kingdom to find him, did you find him?"

Shen Zhi's expression seemed a little unnatural.

He lowered his head and said, "Found him. My brother is fine."

Puyang Kui smiled and said, "It's truly a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."

Brothers separated by war almost always end up apart, separated by life and death. For the Shen brothers to be alive and meet again, and both doing well, is truly a stroke of good fortune. Puyang Kui was happy for them, while Shen Zhi looked dejected. After a few pleasantries, the atmosphere returned to awkwardness.

Du Guan secretly gave Puyang Kui a meaningful look.

As soon as the city gates opened, this man entered the city carrying the orders of the Dou Kingdom's royal family, went straight to the prefectural government, and revealed his identity to Du Guan. Upon hearing the words "Dou Kingdom's royal family," Du Guan's head throbbed. He found an excuse to appease the man and sent someone to invite the Puyang Prime Minister. Unexpectedly, it was an acquaintance.

Du Guan asked with a smile, "You two know each other?"

Puyang Kui said, "The two families have some dealings. I am more familiar with his elder brother, and he always likes to stick to his elder brother and won't let go."

Shen Zhi's cheeks flushed slightly: "That was all when I was a child."

"She's not very old now, only seventeen, right?"

Shen Zhi subconsciously corrected him.

"I have already celebrated my nineteenth birthday."

"He's not even twenty yet, so normally he hasn't even had his coming-of-age ceremony." Puyang Kui's gaze fell on Shen Zhifa's headdress, knowing that he had already had his coming-of-age ceremony ahead of schedule. "If it weren't for these things, if you had had your coming-of-age ceremony, your elder brother might have invited me to his residence to take a look."

Shen Zhi forced a smile.

Seeing this, Du Guan made an excuse to leave, passing the task of entertaining Shen Zhi to Puyang Kui. The two were acquaintances, making it easier to subtly probe Shen Zhi's true purpose. With the lord absent from the prefecture, some things were simply inconvenient. Puyang Kui and she exchanged a secret glance.

With Du Guan gone, Shen Zhi felt much more at ease.

"Is Shude from Dog Kingdom County? How is the royal family? Is there any news from my home?" During the chaos of the mutiny, the Puyang clan should have been escorting the royal family to safety amidst the chaos. After the situation stabilized in Tianyue County, Puyang Kui tried to contact them, but there was not much progress.

Whether it was Zhao Chai or Qin Huang, after taking control of the Dog Kingdom, they strictly controlled information, and even news from the common people was not widely circulated.

Shen Zhineng's appearance here surprised her.

"this……"

Shen Zhi hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

Puyang Kui's heart skipped a beat, and he had a vague guess.

She calmed herself down and said, "Please speak freely, I can handle it."

Despite being mentally prepared, Puyang Kui was still enraged by the news brought by Shen Zhi. The royal family was initially in Zhao Chai's hands, who brutally suppressed a group of opponents, deliberately targeting those loyal to the royal family. Puyang Kui's father was among them, and his mother was murdered within two days. Other members of the Puyang clan were also targeted, their military power completely stripped away.

After Qin Huang drove Zhao Chai away, the Puyang clan was purged again.

Several more people were killed or injured.

Both civil and military officials were dismissed, and their families were also implicated.

Shen Zhi tried to be vague and tactful, but what kind of reputation did Zhao Chai have? It was obvious to anyone with a brain what kind of bloody retribution would result from disobeying him. Pu Yangkui knew that the two elders' passing was likely not peaceful. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Lord Puyang—"

"Zhao Chai!"

Shen Zhi wanted to help Puyang Kui, who was swaying.

The moment their eyes met, Puyang Kui was so intimidated that he dared not approach. He swallowed the metallic taste in his throat and asked, "Did the King say anything?"

My heart, which had been hanging in suspense for months, finally died.

The last time news came from the Dog Kingdom Prefecture about the Xuanwu Decree, there was no mention of the Puyang clan, nor was there any information about any Puyang official who had suffered misfortune. Puyang Kui, clinging to a sliver of hope, assumed everything was alright. She comforted herself that the lack of news was good news in itself.

As long as we're alive, we'll meet again someday.

But the next news I heard was of life and death.

The Puyang clan were considered staunchly loyal to the royal family.

To pave the way for Puyang Kui and to reduce the new emperor's suspicions, Puyang Kui's parents had been semi-retired for the past few years, even using old injuries as an excuse to retire. However, the royal family could not bear the reputation of discarding them after they had served their purpose, and forcibly kept them in office several times.

Apart from this, the other members of the Puyang clan did not hold high-ranking official positions.

But judging from Shen Zhihan's vague response, Puyang's situation was likely even more difficult than what Puyang Kui had heard. Puyang Kui suppressed the urge to bleed and inquired in detail why the two elders had been murdered. She needed to know the whole story behind this deep-seated hatred.

Shen Zhi: "Actually, I only heard it secondhand."

"Just say whatever you hear."

Shen Zhi: "This matter concerns the reputation and honor of the ruler. The popular story of 'Zhao Chai rewarding the ruler under the moon'... while somewhat distorted, the events are largely accurate. That scoundrel was indeed audacious enough to lay a hand on the ruler; how could the ruler tolerate such humiliation?"

Puyang Kui pursed his lips tightly and remained silent.

Zhao Chai had no intention of concealing this "scandal"—a scandal for the ruler of Dou Kingdom, but a merit for Zhao Chai. He deliberately had it publicized, and Qin Huang, who followed, also did not intend to cover it up for the royal family, and further fueled the flames behind the scenes.

Shen Zhi had heard this news before he even found his brother.

Later I found it, and the version I heard was more detailed.

To protect himself, the king once offered his concubines to Zhao Chai for his amusement. However, Zhao Chai felt that merely seducing the king's women was insufficient to disgrace the royal family; seducing the king himself was far more satisfying. So, he seized an opportunity to hold a grand banquet, ostensibly claiming the king was ill and unable to attend, but actually having the king disguise himself as a woman and serve him wine. During the banquet, the officials recognized the woman, feeling ashamed and indignant but unable to retaliate, as Zhao Chai's executioners had already surrounded the banquet hall.

At this time, anyone who dared to stand up for the king would lose their head.

Despite this, there are still some people who are tough enough to stick their necks out.

Zhao Chai sneered and gripped the king's chin.

【Gentlemen, you are truly confused. The King is a celestial being, while this lowly maid in my arms is merely a mortal. How is she any like him?】

The atmosphere was extremely tense.

Even after the tough guy was taken down, Zhao Chai still provoked them.

[In that case, if the beauty admits she is the king, I will forgive this man. Consider him old and blind, mistaken for someone else. But if the beauty denies it and he persists, then he has offended the king's majesty, treating the dignified ruler like a lowly servant—he deserves to die!]

The king was so nervous that he was sweating profusely.

Having been in close contact with Zhao Chai, he knew very well that if he publicly admitted to being the king, he would likely be the one to die. Moreover, admitting it would be tantamount to announcing to the whole world that he, the dignified king, had disguised himself as a woman to fawn over and serve a traitor.

Is this reputation respectable?

Even if someone has already recognized his identity, he cannot admit it.

As one can imagine, the king's answer was...

"I...I'm not."

Zhao Chai was very satisfied with what he had heard.

He sneered: "Kill!"

The inevitable result was bloodshed on the spot.

The king, terrified by the man who had died on the spot, trembled and huddled in Zhao Chai's arms, feigning submission. This behavior greatly satisfied Zhao Chai. He stayed in the king's bedchamber day and night, allowing the palace maids and eunuchs to spread the word about their affair far and wide.

Zhao Chai had little interest in the king.

He was just a fool who wasn't particularly good-looking, but what was irresistible was that this person, who was as stupid as a pig, possessed the most prestigious status in the world. This status held immense appeal for Zhao Chai, even more so than the idea of ​​him usurping the throne and becoming the ruler himself.

Who were the people who died tragically during this period?

Not worth mentioning.

Zhao Chai thoroughly enjoyed humiliating the king and slowly clipping his wings. Before he could even finish, he was driven away by Qin Huang. The royal family was preoccupied with its own problems; how could they have the energy to seek justice for the unjustly killed loyalists? Qin Huang, on the other hand, did have the capacity; he knew how to use rhetoric and manipulation to win people over. However, given Qin Huang's grudge against Puyang Kui, he naturally "inadvertently" overlooked the Puyang clan.

Puyang Kui kept his eyes tightly closed, his lips turning deathly pale with anger.

"Did the ruler not uphold justice?"

"……No."

"Heh, he's a coward who clings to life!" Puyang Kui smashed a half-person-high artificial hill to pieces with a single blow, letting the dust scatter all over the ground. She gritted her teeth and said, "...What has my Puyang clan ever done to wrong the royal family? As long as he remains the king, Zhao Chai will not kill him! Either way, he's already so disgraceful! Does he think that by stubbornly denying his wrongdoing, the whole world will truly believe him?"

She hated this cowardly and incompetent king even more!

Shen Zhi said softly, "The rest of the clansmen should be alright."

Puyang Kui's body stiffened.

Shen knew: "Lord Puyang should think about them."

A suffocating silence fell over the air.

Shen Zhi said with difficulty, "Their lives... are still alright."

Puyang Kui closed his eyes and sighed, "You don't need to say any more comforting words. I know what's going on... A group of elderly and weak people have lost the most important pillar of their families, and their savings of many years have been completely lost in the escape. How can they possibly have a good life in a foreign land?"

Shen Zhi lowered his head dejectedly: "I'm sorry."

Puyang Kui: "What does this have to do with you?"

Whom is Shen Zhi apologizing for?

"I--"

Shen Zhi hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

At that moment, he felt that the thing in his arms was extremely hot.

Puyang Kui: "Thank you for the news you brought. It has taught me the cause of the two elders' deaths and also let me know who our enemy is. If I can avenge this blood feud someday, Shen Shude, I will owe you a favor."

Shen Zhi felt increasingly ashamed: "Lord Puyang..."

Puyang Kui, weary, pressed his temples, forcing back his sorrow: "Shen Shude, please consider the past relationship between our two families and show me some understanding. Enough with the rest of the nonsense, just tell me the purpose of your visit."

Shen Zhi took something out of his pocket and handed it over.

Before Puyang Kui could open the document, Shen Zhi said softly, "The king is in distress, and the royal family had no choice but to issue the Xuanwu Decree to punish the two traitors, Zhao Chai and Qin Huang, but there has been no movement from Tianyue County. We earnestly request Lord Puyang to send troops to assist, uphold the rightful ruler, and drive out the Zhao and Qin rebels..."

Upon hearing this, Puyang Kui's face turned ashen.

Her bloodshot eyes glared at him, and she spoke each word with gritted teeth: "Shen Shude, repeat yourself! What did you say?"

Shen Zhi: "...Please request the Prefect of Puyang to send troops!"

Puyang Kui sneered, "I'm not!"

Shen Zhi smirked: "You are the governor of Tianbian County, appointed by the king himself. Qin Shiming forcibly seized Tianbian County, which is illegitimate and without proper authority."

Puyang Kui: "...I am not in charge of Tianyue."

Shen Zhi said softly, "When I came here, I inquired and found out that the Prefect of Tianyue County is Bo Yuan, and the Assistant Prefect said that she had something to do and went out."

At this point, Shen Zhi felt a little emotional.

He hadn't expected Zhang Yang to actually establish himself in Tianyue County in just over half a year. Thinking back on his own experiences over the past six months, he felt a sense of unreality. Not seeing Zhang Yang this time, Shen Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If he actually met the other person, he wouldn't know what to say.

Puyang Kui: "Since you know this, why force it?"

She doesn't have the authority to mobilize troops without authorization.

Shen Zhi was aware of this, but there were some things he wanted to subtly imply—the royal family was indeed in a weak position at present because Qin Huang was in control of them, but there was a powerful force of the royal family outside, which was not weak.

Zhang Yang's firm refusal might offend people.

Tianyue County is enjoying a rare period of peace, so why disrupt it? Even if it's just for show, sending some people to offer support from afar would be a contribution. We shouldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Puyang Kui looked at him coldly.

"Royal family? Who else is in the royal family of Dou Kingdom?"

The current rulers are all incompetent fools, fought over like trophies by those two treacherous ministers, Zhao Chai and Qin Huang. If there were any capable members of the royal family, Dou Kingdom wouldn't have been ruined like this by the ruler and his sister, the princess. Those two are truly scourges!

Shen Zhi shook his head: "I can't tell you for now."

"Tsk, isn't playing the mysterious card just a way of revealing one's true identity?"

Pu Yangkui's words were unpleasant, but considering that she had just received terrible news, Shen Zhi chose to silently endure his anger and dared not refute him.

As someone in the know, he felt that if he spoke out, Puyang Kui probably wouldn't even let him leave this gate alive; he would definitely draw his sword and kill him. Puyang Kui had a deep-seated hatred for Zhao Chai and Qin Huang, and also a blood feud with the royal family; his hatred was no less than that of the two traitors.

"I'm only responsible for delivering the message; the decision is up to Lord Puyang." Shen Zhiqiang roused himself and forced a smile. "I can't wait for Boyuan to return. Please give her my regards, Lord Puyang. Also, ask Lord Fan if his leg injury has healed well."

Puyang Kui subconsciously retorted.

"When will Fan Shuyan...?"

He paused for a moment as he spoke.

When the lord and Chief Secretary Fan rescued her, Chief Secretary Fan did indeed have a leg injury. It's better not to mention it; bringing it up only makes things worse. Fan You's leg injury was also caused by Qin Huang. Fortunately, Fan You isn't an ordinary person. If he were, those legs would have been infested with maggots and rotten after being in the water dungeon, and would have been ruined long ago. He wouldn't be where he is today.

Puyang Kui changed his tune: "I've got it."

Shen Zhi clasped his hands in thanks.

After he left the territory of Tianyue County, the people Du Guan had sent to follow him returned, confirming that Shen Zhi had left and was not playing any tricks.

Which direction did he go?

"...Tianjiang County." Du Guan saw the mourning clothes on Puyang Kui as soon as he arrived and said with a heavy heart, "Jun Du, please accept my condolences."

Puyang Kui finally couldn't hold back his tears.

"This grudge will be avenged!"

? ?|??w?`)