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墨書 Inktalez
It is said that heroes emerge from chaos, and thus the Chosen One comes into being. However, in the era of peace that follows, there are often beautiful yet dangerous women. Speaking of which, Zhang Suling can be considered a remarkable woman who does not fall behind men.
She is indeed the orphan of Zhang Yungu and was taken in as a servant at a brothel. In her youth, she was unattractive and suffered much abuse and humiliation, which gradually made her reclusive. Yet she became adept at reading people's expressions and mimicking various behaviors.
As she grew older, Zhang Suling became increasingly beautiful. To protect her innocence, she began to put on an act. Whenever high-ranking officials visited the brothel to select women, she would disguise herself as a man. Eventually, she mastered the art of disguise, making it difficult to control her. The brothel saw her as a valuable asset and imposed strict restrictions on her, sometimes even locking her up, making it hard for her to escape.
One day, Zhang Suling was taken back to the Brave Duke's Mansion by Zhou Cang and others. Aware that Xu Zhen would not let her go easily, she contemplated escape plans but unexpectedly encountered Zhang Jiunian.
When Zhang Yungu was executed, she was only four or five years old. However, she was naturally intelligent and mature for her age. While she did not recognize Zhou Cang and the other bodyguards, she remembered Zhang Jiunian, the chief steward.
Her mother had been favored by Zhang Yungu but was ostracized by the main wife and other concubines. Thanks to Zhang Jiunian's planning, they found another residence for mother and child to live in peace. In this sense, Zhang Jiunian could be considered a benefactor to her family. Although they had not seen each other for over ten years, their faces were vaguely familiar. After a brief period of estrangement, memories of the Zhang family began to resurface in her mind, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
Zhang Jiunian did not mention Xu Zhen's kindness nor did he urge Zhang Suling to submit to her. Instead, he asked about the hardships of her life, reflecting on the painful experiences she had endured over the past decade.
Zhang Suling had grown wary over time and initially responded with vague answers. However, as the old steward spoke sincerely, she felt a wave of emotions rise within her. Years of grievances poured out like a waterfall, causing her eyes to swell with tears while she gritted her teeth to hold back.
Seeing her distress, Zhang Jiunian said gently, "Miss, I have also suffered greatly alongside my brothers in the mines. We nearly perished from hardship. If it weren't for Lord Xu's rescue, we wouldn't be here today. You may not like Lord Xu's character; I do not dare to persuade you otherwise. But if you truly wish to leave this place, I would stake my life to plead your case with him. He will surely grant your request. However, if you choose to follow that treacherous path, I must firmly oppose you; I cannot bear to see you go astray!"
Zhang Suling felt touched by his heartfelt words but was consumed by thoughts of avenging her parents' deaths; she was determined to kill Kwon Man-ki for revenge. As a lonely and fragile woman, how could she achieve this? She felt compelled to take risks and became an enforcer for Han Wang.
Understanding her intentions, Zhang Jiunian advised, "Lord Xu is also a man who understands strategy and is favored by the Sovereign. Why not seek his counsel? If he can help resolve your grievances and restore your family's honor, wouldn’t it be better than siding with rebels?"
Zhang Suling recalled how Xu Zhen had toyed with her but then unexpectedly kissed her lips. Her thoughts stirred with conflicting emotions as she remembered Xu Zhen's unwavering support in the dungeon. Gradually accepting this idea, she followed Zhang Jiunian into Xu Zhen's study.
At that moment, Xu Zhen was suffering from wounds that had flared up again; she was restless and only wore an inner garment while Liu Shenwei tended to her injuries. Despite immense pain, she gritted her teeth and endured.
Upon seeing Zhang Suling visit, Xu Zhen did not want to appear disrespectful; thus she donned a robe and asked Zhang Jiunian to escort Liu Shenwei out to entertain their guest.
Zhang Suling and Xu Zhen were like sworn enemies who had fought many times but were no longer strangers. Xu Zhen welcomed Zhang Suling without pretense and invited her to sit down before breaking the silence.
"Miss Zhang," she began, "I know you carry great resentment in your heart. But if you remain stubborn and continue aiding those who do evil deeds, not only will you fail to avenge your grievances but you may also endanger yourself. You must understand how those Turkic people behave... Surely you know how many among Han Wang's followers would treat you kindly? Even if you succeed in your plans, do you truly believe he will keep his promises?"
"Such villains would harm even their own kin; how could they treat you well? If things go awry, they will surely seek scapegoats and make you an innocent victim!"
"I am no one special; I do not dare make grand promises," Xu Zhen continued earnestly. "But I can assure you of two things: Kwon Man-ki will meet a terrible end; secondly, I will ensure that your family’s honor is restored!"
These two promises from Xu Zhen did not raise doubts about their fulfillment because it would not be long before Han Wang Li Yuanchang's rebellion failed and Prince Qi Li You would raise an army against him. The catalyst for Prince Qi's rebellion would be the murder of his mentor—none other than Kwon Man-ki!
In order to impersonate Xu Zhen, Zhang Suling had already memorized all the information regarding her. When she learned that Xu Zhen was the Zoroastrian Messenger who had once displayed miracles, she merely regarded her as a charlatan. Today, upon hearing Xu Zhen's wild claims again, she felt skeptical.
However, when she looked up and met Xu Zhen's gaze, a sense of trust surged within her. She felt that there was an inexplicable power in the man's eyes that brought a sense of stability, as if every word he spoke would come true.
Initially, she had been at her wit's end, eager for revenge and easily swayed by others, which led her to become a subordinate of Han Wang. Now, with Xu Zhen's repeated assistance and acceptance without grudges, Zhang Jiunian and the remnants of the Zhang Family had pledged allegiance to Xu Zhen's protection, and Zhang Suling no longer harbored other thoughts.
"I... I can help you with tasks... but... but I won't do any disgraceful things in the inner chambers..." Zhang Suling had likely heard about how Xu Zhen brought maidservants to the military camp and the false rumors surrounding her letting go of the Tuguhun bandits for the sake of her female relatives. After being forced to kiss Xu Zhen at the brothel, she assumed that Xu Zhen was a lecherous person and thus stated her boundaries upfront.
Xu Zhen was taken aback; upon realizing this, she couldn't help but inwardly curse. Did your brother really have such a dissolute appearance? However, he was not a shallow man who would boast; if he wanted Zhang Suling to follow him wholeheartedly, he needed to be honest with her.
Zhang Jiunian seemed to have anticipated that Zhang Suling would stay and had prepared a room in the inner courtyard early on. After a brief rest, Xu Zhen took Fourteen Red Armor along with Caesar and Zhang Suling to the haunted old residence of the Zhang Family.
After everything was arranged, the brothers hid throughout the house while only Zhang Suling remained to guard Xu Zhen. After three drumbeats, indeed, a messenger from Han Wang came to visit. The three men were dressed in night clothes; although the leader wore a mask, Xu Zhen could discern some familiarity from his stature and gait!
Seeing Xu Zhen bound, these three men appeared much more at ease. Fearing that Xu Zhen might recognize their accents, they pulled Zhang Suling outside and whispered their inquiries. Naturally, Zhang Suling presented the prearranged story.
The sudden killing of four Turkic People made Han Wang somewhat apprehensive; however, following Xu Zhen's instructions, Zhang Suling placed the blame for their deaths squarely on Xu Zhen herself, claiming that she had killed them during an escape attempt. Fortunately, Zhang Suling returned from Five Armies Yamen in time; otherwise, Xu Zhen would have escaped.
Upon hearing Zhang Suling's explanation, the leader became furious and stormed into the room to beat Xu Zhen. She glared at him like a hawk. One of the others quickly pulled him away and instructed Zhang Suling to keep a close watch on everything and proceed according to plan before leaving angrily.
Not long after these three left, they stopped not far away. The leader removed his mask and spat out in anger: "What a Xu Zhen! After just a few days apart, she's become so formidable that she managed to kill four Death Warriors of His Highness!"
The surroundings were dim; this person's face was somewhat indistinct but if Xu Zhen were present, she would certainly recognize him as Hou Polu, son of Duke Chen Guo Hou Junji!
The person who had just dissuaded Hou Polu also revealed himself—it was Duan Zan, who had not shown his face for quite some time!
"He's not an unforgivable sinner; why treat him so violently..." Duan Zan muttered quietly. After all, he no longer held any ill will towards Xu Zhen; he was merely caught up in climbing the Hou Family tree and found it hard to extricate himself.
The third person pulled down his mask revealing himself as Helan Chushi—a mature and composed middle-aged scholar—who was indeed Hou Junji's esteemed son-in-law from Eastern Palace.
Although Helan Chushi was technically an elder to Hou Polu, due to Hou Junji's power, he found it inappropriate to discipline him. The three men removed their night clothes before exiting through the alley gate.
Just as these three left, a figure emerged from behind the shadows where they had stood—none other than Caesar who had been trailing them!
Caesar angrily returned to the Zhang Family residence and reported everything he had seen and heard to Xu Zhen. She was equally astonished—not because of Hou Polu hitting her but because Han Wang’s actions ultimately involved His Highness as well!
Through Helan Chushi, Hou Junji had already communicated privately with His Highness. Since Hou Polu had now appeared, it indicated that Hou Junji could not escape involvement either. If His Highness advanced his plans and colluded with Han Wang, this coup might very well succeed!
Everyone tidied up and returned to the Brave Duke's Mansion. After a quiet night, the next day brought colder weather, with light snow falling. The Xu Zhen experienced a flare-up of her old injury, so Zhang Suling donned a disguise using a face mask to resemble the Xu Zhen and took Caesar to Shuyi Palace to find Li Mingda.
Zhang Suling was already an ambiguous beauty, and with the guidance of the Xu Zhen, she not only matched her appearance but also mirrored her demeanor and grace. Upon entering Shuyi Palace, her goal was to position Caesar as a close bodyguard to Li Mingda.
Although Li Mingda was still immature, she had been thinking about the Xu Zhen constantly. When she noticed that Zhang Suling wasn't wearing the iron ring on her finger, and as they spoke closely, she caught a faint scent of feminine fragrance, doubts began to arise.
However, being a royal, she was not very familiar with common folk's tricks. Although she had heard of disguises, she never imagined such things would happen right in front of her.
Li Wushuang was also an imprudent girl; fearing that Li Mingda would worry unnecessarily, she did not explain the situation at the Brothel in detail. She merely mentioned that the Xu Zhen had gone there to choose someone but behaved inappropriately by mingling with others in the inner courtyard, which only fueled Li Mingda's obsession with the Xu Zhen.
As Li Mingda detected the subtle fragrance on Zhang Suling, she became increasingly convinced that the Xu Zhen had indeed gone to the Brothel for frivolous activities. This realization soured her mood. Fortunately, Caesar suggested that due to the crowd at the New Year Banquet, he should stay close by to keep an eye on things. This allowed Li Mingda to accept Caesar into the ranks of her personal Female Knights.
Zhang Suling was perceptive and adept at reading emotions; she could sense Li Mingda's reliance on the Xu Zhen. Upon returning from Shuyi Palace, she felt an inexplicable mysterious aura surrounding the Xu Zhen.
Not only was Caesar devoted to her, but even Li Mingda was infatuated with her. On one occasion, she intentionally touched Li Wushuang while posing as the Xu Zhen. Although Li Wushuang was furious, it also made Zhang Suling feel a strange fondness; if there were no feelings involved, why would one act as an enemy? Li Wushuang's contrary behavior only highlighted her feelings for the Xu Zhen, which were different from those she held for other men.
However, the Xu Zhen had no time to ponder such romantic entanglements. With tomorrow's New Year Banquet approaching, she hurried over to meet Li Chunfeng and Yan Lide to ensure everything was properly arranged before returning home. There, she gathered her brothers for a detailed discussion before finally enjoying a hearty meal and resting in preparation for the important event ahead!
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