A gentle breeze caressing the face, galloping on horseback—this should be one of life’s greatest pleasures.
At this moment, Wu Zhi, dressed as a young man, and her maid rode two chestnut horses to a hill outside the city, gazing at the military camp below, and sighed softly.
“Miss…”
Jian Qiu naturally understood what her lady was worrying about, yet found herself unable to offer any comfort.
“With the army training daily and receiving meat rations, war must be imminent!”
Wu Zhi stared at the camp, listening to the distant shouts of soldiers, murmuring to herself.
“Miss, your father has already stripped you of your military authority, and the heir of the Ding Marquisate will arrive shortly. Why must you still concern yourself with this?”
Jian Qiu bit her lip and continued cautiously.
“This army is largely the result of my efforts; how can I simply abandon it?”
Wu Zhi shook her head. “My father, having secured the promise of the Marquis of Ding, intends to trade his daughter for aid in seizing Chufeng Commandery. Yet he fails to realize this is like striking a deal with a tiger. The Marquis of Ding has the heart of a wolf—how could he ever permit the Wu family to conquer two commanderies in succession? Hmph… Pitiful that my two elder brothers are also enchanted, groveling before that man. Our old father is so deluded he actually…”
“Miss!!!”
Jian Qiu gasped in alarm, her face paling. How could a daughter speak so ill of her father and brothers? If someone overheard, she would surely face severe punishment within the family!
With a deep sigh, Wu Zhi’s expression grew somewhat desolate: “Ah… how pitiful… the foundation of our Wu family, painstakingly built through generations of toil and sacrifice, will ultimately…”
Flap! Flap!
Suddenly, a small bird flapped its wings and landed on Wu Zhi’s shoulder.
This bird had glossy feathers, larger than its kind, with faint cloud-like patterns on its body—clearly no ordinary creature, but a spiritual beast kept by a cultivator!
Attached to the bird’s claw was a silk pouch. Upon opening it, Wu Zhi couldn’t help but express surprise.
Inside the pouch was a letter, a pearl, and nothing else.
“This pearl is worth a thousand gold pieces at night!”
Wu Zhi naturally had a discerning eye. After examining the pearl, she immediately estimated its value. As she looked at the letter, a faint blush appeared on her face, quickly fading.
“Miss, what is it?”
Jian Qiu asked curiously.
“Nothing, just a letter from an old friend! Let’s go back!”
Wu Zhi cast one last glance at the military camp before turning her horse around.
“Alright!”
Jian Qiu nodded, her eyes flashing with something before quickly catching up.
Back at the mansion, Wu Zhi ordered her servants to prepare a fragrant bath with orchid petals. As she bathed and changed clothes, Jian Qiu sneaked to the backyard, casually tucking a letter beneath a flowerpot.
She didn’t notice, however, the cold gaze from Wu Zhi behind her.
A grandmaster of martial arts moves like the wind, landing as silently as a cat, with extraordinary skills, naturally undetectable by anyone.
Wu Zhi had always concealed this ability as her secret weapon, which now proved invaluable.
A red blur flashed, and she returned to the bathing chamber. Several elderly maids stood respectfully, eyes fixed on the floor, awaiting Wu Zhi’s orders.
“Jian Qiu must be a spy planted by my father or the Ding Marquis…”
Wu Zhi reclined on a soft chair, as one maid stepped forward to gently massage her temples, whispering softly: “Miss… shall I?”
These were her true confidantes, completely loyal to her.
“No need…”
Wu Zhi replied coldly: “Let her spread misinformation to confuse others. It’s normal for me to appear resentful now. If I acted indifferent, my father and brothers wouldn’t sleep soundly at all!”
“How many people are still loyal to me now?”
“We’ve secretly contacted your former subordinates, and half have already written blood oaths!”
“Excellent! Proceed according to the plan. You may leave now!”
Wu Zhi waved her hand, dismissing the maids. Only when she was alone did she let out a soft sigh, a trace of weariness appearing on her face.
Even though she had always been brilliant, helping her family through numerous crises—her gender remained her greatest weakness.
Once the true head of the Wu family issued orders, how many of her subordinates would still remain loyal to her? It was hardly worth hoping for.
“Still, what did Elder Sister Wu Qing and that Wu Ming mean by sending this now?”
Wu Zhi turned her palm, revealing the Moon Pearl of the Endless Sea, glowing radiantly, complementing her jade-like skin.
…
Banners fluttered in the wind, the black fabric emblazoned with a golden “Ding” character in bold, powerful strokes, increasingly eye-catching.
A convoy of hundreds had already arrived at the border of the Nanfeng Commandery. The long line of carriages carried chests of silk, treasures, and antiques. The wheels sank deeply into the soil, indicating the heavy load of gold and silver. Many bandits along the way coveted the riches, but few dared to challenge them.
After all, this was the convoy of the Ding Marquis! Since the chaos of the Zhou dynasty, even though the roads were unsafe, all factions within Dingshou still gave the Ding Marquis some respect.
Occasionally, some foolish bandits tried to attack, but the hundred elite guards in the convoy would quickly teach them a lesson.
These guards were highly trained, skilled in archery and horsemanship. This hundred-man cavalry unit could easily charge and break through a formation of a thousand infantrymen. With such military might, they naturally acted with impunity.
“Master, ahead lies the border of Nanfeng Commandery!”
At this moment, a steward-like figure reported to the heir of the Ding Marquis, Shi Yue.
Shi Yue was in his early twenties, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He didn’t ride in the comfortable carriage but instead chose a pure white steed, displaying excellent horsemanship.
In these turbulent times, even the son of a feudal lord must learn to ride and shoot for self-defense!
“Alright! Order the troops to set up camp here for the night, and send someone to inform the Wu family!”
Shi Yue issued his command.
The convoy followed strict military discipline. Once the order was given, the soldiers immediately began setting up camp in an orderly manner. Nearby, the guards kept their weapons close at hand, vigilantly patrolling the perimeter, exuding the disciplined air of seasoned troops.
“Master Jiao! Take a squad and accompany me on a hunt!”
Shi Yue glanced at the sky and gave another command. Immediately, the squad leader Jiao Da led ten guards to accompany him.
Whoosh!
Shi Yue’s archery skills were impressive, and his men, eager to please, subtly drove game like rabbits and roe deer toward his horse. Thus, the hunting results were quite fruitful.
“Master, your archery is superb!”
“Tonight we shall feast well, all thanks to you, Master!”
…
“Hehe… These are just small game. True hunting excitement comes from going after tigers and wild boars in the mountains!”
Excited, Shi Yue wanted to chase into the forest.
“Master, it’s getting late!”
The steward accompanying them exchanged a worried glance with Jiao Da, who frowned and stepped forward: “Entering the mountains now might injure the horses’ hooves. Besides, a gentleman should not place himself in unnecessary danger. How could such a noble heir risk himself like this?”
They were still close to the camp, and even if something happened, the ten guards could hold off for a while before calling for reinforcements. However, venturing deeper into the mountains would be unpredictable.
Out of duty, Jiao Da had to speak up, even without the steward’s prompting.
“Fine! Let’s return!”
Shi Yue sighed, but suddenly noticed a strange glow in the forest, causing him to exclaim: “What is that?”
“Protect the Master!”
Jiao Da shouted, and five guards immediately surrounded Shi Yue for protection, while the others, used to dealing harshly with threats, rode forward, drew their bows to full tension, and released.
Whoosh!
The arrows flew through the air, only to be intercepted halfway by a black energy serpent, which bit them in two.
“Sorcery?!”
Jiao Da was startled, but Shi Yue instead called out: “It’s Master Zhou! Hold your fire!”
“Hehe… Excellent archery! Truly excellent archery!”
A middle-aged Taoist priest in a hemp-yellow robe stepped out from the woods, bowing respectfully: “Zhou Yuanzhen greets the young master!”
“Ah! It’s you, Master Zhou!”
Jiao Da and the steward recognized the man immediately—he was the chief retainer of the Marquis’s mansion, originally traveling with them, but had been sent ahead by the young master on some unknown errand.
“Master Zhou, you’ve had a long journey. I hope your mission was successful?”
Shi Yue laughed heartily, dismounting to personally assist Zhou Yuanzhen, asking warmly.
He knew that Zhou Yuanzhen was a genuine Taoist adept, highly regarded by his father, so he naturally didn’t put on any airs.
“A few days ago, I secretly infiltrated the Nanfeng Commandery city and was fortunate enough to see the omen of the future princess… Indeed, she bears the fortune of a phoenix, destined for unparalleled nobility! Congratulations to the young master! Congratulations!”
Zhou Yuanzhen smiled.
In his eyes, Shi Yue also bore a noble aura, with a green glow on his nasal bridge resembling a coiled serpent—an omen of great fortune.
If he could marry Wu Zhi, there was a chance this serpent might transform into a dragon. At the very least, becoming King of Dingshou was assured.
When that day came, assisting Shi Yue to ascend would bring great merit, advancing his Taoist cultivation and benefiting his sect.
“A gentleman does not speak of supernatural forces; the concept of fortune is ultimately unreliable!”
At this moment, a scholar in blue robes standing beside Shi Yue interjected, his face filled with righteous energy, not to be underestimated.
“Haha… You follow Confucianism, while I follow Taoism; of course, we won’t see eye to eye!”
Master Zhou laughed: “But let’s not discuss fortune—let’s talk strategy instead!”
“The Wu family is like a tiger and wolf. Their rise was largely due to the Wu lady’s strategic brilliance and popularity—this is point one!”
“The head of the Wu family, with the Marquis’s support, will undoubtedly be eager to launch a campaign against Chufeng Commandery—this is point two!”
“My lord is wise and capable, ruling Dingyuan Commandery with peace and prosperity, commanding an army of over ten thousand with loyal officials and generals—this is point three!”
Master Zhou exuded the air of a strategist with a feather fan in hand: “The Wu family, still unstable, rushes to attack Chufeng. Once they encounter setbacks, they will inevitably seek help from the young master and his bride!”
“At that time, with the young master bearing the fortune of the dragon, and the princess consolidating the people’s hearts, the Marquis’s title aligns with the grand trend of Dingshou. What’s stopping you from inheriting the Wu family’s legacy through marriage?”
This speech sent a surge of excitement through Shi Yue’s blood.
Although the Ding Marquis was mighty, he had been confined to a single commandery, locked in a stalemate with the Jiedushi Qi Lin, and pressured by the imperial court. But if he could gain two more commanderies, the momentum would be unstoppable, sweeping across all seven commanderies of Dingshou. Overjoyed, he exclaimed:
“Haha… Master Zhou, truly a man of great talent!”
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