Hot flashes

Dusk, heavy as iron, pressed down upon the walls of Yingyang. The banners of the Northern Liang army fluttered above the continuous camps outside the city, like a cold glint seeping from the edge of dark clouds.

The city gates were not completely closed, but only a crack was opened to allow carriages and horses to pass slowly. The drawbridge was half-lowered, exuding an atmosphere of caution and hesitation.

Inside the central command tent, Xiao Jue had just finished listening to the latest report from the scouts.

"Zheng Huai has stayed indoors, while his eldest son, Zheng Xu, has been watching from the city wall for an hour," Chen Zhen said in a deep voice.

Mr. Du pondered: "He's weighing the options. He's weighing the strength of our army, weighing his own importance after the King of Qi's defeat, and also weighing... how to set a price."

"What's the price?" Zhou Heng paused, his hand still writing.

Xiao Jue's gaze fell on Yingyang's location on the map, his voice calm and even: "In chaotic times, cities change hands like commodities."

Zheng Huai was not Feng Jiming. What he wanted to sell was not just the city, but also the prestige, wealth, and... future loyalty that his Zheng family had accumulated over three generations in this place.

Naturally, one must wait for the right price, and also consider whether the buyer is qualified, can afford the price, and whether... they will discard the buyer after using it.

Zhou Heng remained silent. It turned out that the "rewarding the troops" and "banquet" were just preludes to the negotiations, a game of cards where each side tested each other's cards.

He recalled the dinners that preceded modern business negotiations; the essence was no different, except that the bargaining chips here were land, armies, and life and death.

"If he wants to talk, then talk to him." Xiao Jue stood up, his black armor gleaming coldly in the candlelight. "Issue the order: I will enter the city tomorrow at 9:00 AM. Chen Zhen, you will accompany me. Zhao, the main camp outside the city is your responsibility."

"My lord, I fear there may be a trap." Zhao, the adjutant, clasped his hands in a fist sa

Xiao Jue's lips curled into a very faint smile: "If he really had the courage to perish together with the enemy, the city gates would be sealed by now, and the rolling logs and stones should be ready."

Since we want to talk, we won't easily break off relations. Besides—" He glanced at Zhou Heng, "we should also see how many bargaining chips this Lord Zheng has to offer."

The next day, Xiao Jue entered the city with only two hundred elite guards. The sound of horses' hooves clattering on the bluestone slabs of Yingyang City's main street was crisp and resonant.

Shops on both sides of the street had their doors and windows tightly shut, and people avoided them, with only a few daring individuals peeking out from behind cracks in the doors. A stifling silence permeated the surroundings.

The city lord's mansion was brightly decorated. Zheng Huai led his entourage out to greet them, their manners impeccable and their smiles beaming, though the smiles didn't reach their eyes. "The Marquis's arrival is an honor to Yingyang! Please, please come in!"

The banquet was held in a flower hall, a hundred times more refined than the rough feasts in the military camp. Gold utensils and jade cups were laid out, along with delicacies, while musicians played soothing classical music behind a screen.

Zheng Huai did not discuss military matters, but instead earnestly offered wine and introduced local customs. In his words, he praised the Northern Liang army to the skies, while subtly belittling the King of Qi and the court, seemingly expressing a clear stance.

After several rounds of drinks, Zheng Huai sighed, "Alas, Yingyang is a small and poor place, barely surviving in this chaotic world thanks to the bravery of its soldiers and the unity of its people. But in the end, we are like rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly in the wind and rain."

He raised his cup to Xiao Jue, "Today, having witnessed the Marquis's majestic bearing and awe-inspiring presence, I now know what a true hero is! The entire Yingyang region has long awaited the arrival of the royal army!"

We only hope that Your Excellency will have compassion for us commoners struggling to survive and will provide us with protection.” The attitude was extremely humble, as if he had already regarded himself as a subject.

Xiao Jue raised his cup slightly in acknowledgment, but did not finish it. He simply said, "Lord Zheng is very kind. The world is in chaos, what have the people done wrong? What Beiliang seeks is nothing more than to stop the war and bring peace to the people. Since the Lord understands the greater good, it is a blessing for Yingyang."

His words were perfectly polite. Zhou Heng sat at the lower end, observing silently.

Besides his son Zheng Xu, Zheng Huai was accompanied by several local clan elders, all shrewd and cautious in their speech. The servants and maids in the mansion behaved with impeccable manners, clearly demonstrating the strict adherence to rules.

As the banquet progressed and the atmosphere seemed to lighten, Zheng Huai clapped his hands, and the music changed to a clear and melodious tune.

Several musicians carrying pipa and guqin emerged from behind the screen. They were not alluring dancers, but rather elegantly dressed and pretty young girls.

"My daughter, Yun'e, has some knowledge of music. She is usually raised in seclusion. Today, with the Marquis's presence, she has been specially ordered to play a piece on the zither to enhance the refined atmosphere. Please do not refuse," Zheng Huai said with a smile, his tone natural, as if it were just an ordinary family banquet where his daughter was showcasing her talents.

Zhou Heng suddenly realized. So this is how "chips" can be presented.

It wasn't blatant flattery, but a subtle display: Look, my Zheng family not only has wealth, provisions, and cities, but also well-educated daughters who can be used for marriage alliances to solidify our relationship. This was a more dignified and harder-to-refuse "offer."

Miss Zheng Yun'e, with her head bowed and eyes lowered, sat down in front of the zither table after bowing. Her fingertips plucked the strings, and the zither music flowed. Her skill was indeed superb, and her posture was dignified.

She kept her eyes slightly lowered, occasionally glancing up at the person in the main seat with a clear gaze that held just the right amount of admiration, before shyly lowering them again. Her control of the gesture was impeccable.

Zhou Heng clicked his tongue twice in his mind, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue remained calm, his fingertips lightly tapping the rim of his wine glass in time with the music, as if he were truly just appreciating the piece. He showed neither particular interest nor impatience.

When the song ended, Zheng Yun'e rose, bowed, and silently withdrew. Zheng Huai carefully observed Xiao Jue's expression but couldn't discern anything amiss, so he could only smile and change the subject, continuing to urge him to drink.

Zhou Heng felt somewhat stifled. The banquet seemed harmonious, but in reality, every word was witty and sharp, more exhausting than a military campaign. He excused himself to change his clothes and left the banquet, heading towards the corridor outside the hall.

Night had fallen, and the lanterns under the eaves cast a dim, yellowish light. He took a few deep breaths of the cool air and was about to take a stroll when he suddenly heard low sobs and complaints coming from behind the artificial rockery not far away.

"...Father only cares about my eldest sister! He never thought of me when I had such an opportunity to shine!" A young woman's voice was choked with sobs and resentment.

Another, slightly aged voice comforted her: "Second Miss, there's a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children. Master naturally prioritizes the eldest Miss's future. Please rest assured, things will change in the future..."

"In the future? What good opportunities will there be in the future!" The second young lady's voice suddenly became sharper. "That Marquis of Zhenbei... such a person! If... if only... even just... it would be better than staying in this mansion, having to watch people's faces, and not knowing which Tom, Dick, or Harry Father will casually marry off to!"

"Miss! Watch your words!"

The voices lowered, turning into hurried whispers. Zhou Heng hadn't intended to eavesdrop and was about to turn away when he caught a few fragmented words: "...medicine...bamboo forest...the only way...it would be good if it were successful..."

He paused, his brow furrowing. A concubine's daughter? Drugged? Bamboo forest? This plot... he quickly recalled the foolish moves in certain domestic dramas.

Is this Miss Zheng desperate and trying to create an "accident"?

Zhou Heng's first reaction was absurdity. Xiao Jue was a man of great stature, with extremely tight security around him. Such underhanded tactics in the inner quarters were nothing but child's play to him.

Chen Zhen and his men have noses that are sharper than dogs, how could they possibly let something of unknown origin get close to Xiao Jue?

He shook his head, intending to leave as if he hadn't heard. But the moment he turned around, a thought inexplicably popped into his head: If... if Xiao Jue really "accidentally" fell for it and had something happen with that Miss Zheng... would he lose interest in men?

After all, isn't having a soft, warm woman in your arms better than facing a hard, unyielding man like yourself?

This idea, like wild grass, grew wildly in an instant.