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Edited on August 28, 2021.

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Fifty thousand troops have been appointed to go to Cong Zhou and deal with the bandits.

Everyone thought that the battle between the imperial army and the bandits of Cong Zhou will continue for a long time.

However, as Xiao Zhi Zhi secretly led the three thousand elite troops, he efficiently surrounded the walls of Cong Zhou and cornered the bandits to the hills, wiping them out one by one.

No one knew that Xiao Zhi Zhi would use this kind of strategy to eradicate the bandits. He brought only three thousand soldiers, and took advantage of the situation to kill the bandits in their own hideout.

Originally, the bandits in Cong Zhou was around a hundred thousand. Now, it decreased to around thirty thousand. If he wants to defeat them, it won't take much time now.

———

In a palace situated on the center of Luo Yang City, a man who is holding a suspicious report, fisted his palm.

“Detestable Xiao Zhi Zhi, I didn’t expect him to do that kind of move.”

“Third prince, what should we do now? Will all our efforts for the past several years be destroyed just like this?” his subordinate who stood next to him, carefully asked.

The current Emperor did not want the princes to have their own soldiers, so all of the imperial princes did not have any military authority.

The third prince has spent several years covertly recruiting soldiers and buying horses in Cong Zhou using a fake bandit identity.

Whenever the palace sent troops to wipe out the bandits in Cong Zhou, the third prince always made sure that the soldiers won’t completely succeed.

To say it simply, the third prince is Cong Zhou's landlord. Cong Zhou is the place where the third prince has decided to retreat to if he loses the competition for the throne. If he truly loses the imperial battle, he can just escape and start building power from Cong Zhou.

“Of course I can’t just let it end like this.” he gritted his teeth. He didn't want to see his efforts be burned to the ground. “But is there even a person who can stop Xiao Zhi Zhi?”

“This lowly one only knows that Xiao Zhi Zhi is an excellent millitary strategist, he is a genius in martial arts, and…”

“I don’t need you to remind me of all that!” the third prince kicked his chest, “What I need to know is a way to protect my base in Cong Zhou!”

The subordinate kneeled in pain on the ground, his face turned pale white. If there really was a way, then they wouldn't have waited just to see their troops be eradicated like that.

“Is there really no way out?”

"..."

The third prince wanted to kick his subordinate again, but before he did, he suddenly heard a woman's laugh.

He looked to the direction of the laugh, and saw a beautiful woman dressed in a pink palace outfit.

Her belt had gems and precious stones, further shaping her figure. Her brows exuded pride and extravagance. She is none other than the tenth princess, Dai Rui Qian.

“Huang Mei, why did you come here?”

(E/R: Huang Mei = little sister)

Even though this place is inside the palace, it is located in a very secluded area that only a few people know about.

The tenth princess shared the same mother with him, so their relationship is closer. Once the third prince gains power, naturally, the tenth princess's status also goes up.

“Huang Xiong's worried expression amuses me. Xiao Zhi Zhi is only a soldier, why are you so afraid of him?” Dai Rui Qin held her waist and started walking inside the room.

(E/R: Huang Xiong = imperial brother)

“Do you really think he is someone I can easily destroy? If he really is easy to deal with, you should have made him your husband, then my position won’t be in danger like now.” the third prince said coldy.

Dui Rui Qin's expression changed, she grit her teeth and replied, “Huang Xiong and I are people on the same boat. Naturally, I want you to succeed. That’s why I came here, to remind Huang Xiong that nobody is perfect, and that Xiao Zhi Zhi also has a weakness.

“Really? Tell me his weakness then.” the third prince eagerly replied.

“A woman.”

Once, she asked someone to infiltrate the general's residence. When the spy returned, she hardly suppressed her anger and hatred. Xiao Zhi Zhi unexpectedly fell in love with a maid! What an irony it is for her, the tenth princess.

“Hahaha!” the third prince couldn’t prevent himself from laughing, “Everyone in our land knows that Xiao Zhi Zhi is sexually abstinent, yet you tell me that his weakness is a woman?”

“Whether you believe it or not is up to you, but it is a fact that Xiao Zhi Zhi is currently being a doting lover. If you can capture that girl, you possibly have a chance to control him.” Dui Rui Qin coldly replied.

The third prince replied after pondering for a while, “Alright, you are my Huang Mei from the same mother, I will believe you.”

“Well, who said my information is free?” Dui Rui Qin sneered, glancing at the third prince.

The third prince is good at understanding what his own scheming sister wants, “If I succeed on controlling Xiao Zhi Zhi, I will make sure to spare his life and give him to Huang Mei.”

Breaking his arms or legs to prevent him from using martial arts ever again, or beating him until he's half-dead, is not within his promise though.

“I'm glad Third Huang Xiong can easily understand me.” Dui Rui Qin laughed happily, “About that girl though, once Huang Xiong can control Xiao Zhi Zhi...will you dispose of her?”

“Of course.”

Both of them looked at each other's smiling eyes, one wants to solve the current hardship, the other one wants to make use of someone to kill someone else. Each of them has their own idea, scheming others.

———

The citizens of Cong Zhou frequently see soldiers on an ordinary basis, but today they gathered around to see the large army marching on their streets. Mainly because the troops were lined up so orderly, not one soldier in disarray.

Thousands of troops neatly lined up and marched in two lines, escorting a horse carriage. They walked towards the center of Cong Zhou.

The people of Cong Zhou didn’t dare to mess around. After seeing the uniform of the soldiers, one ex-soldier said,

“That is the great General Xiao's army! Shouldn't they be outside of Cong Zhou to eliminate the rebelling bandits? Since they entered the city today, did they finish their mission?”

A lot of rumours were spreading. Many people were now gossiping about the future of Cong Zhou after the war. However, they only whispered and spoke softly. No one would dare to talk loudly while facing this kind of military force.

The carriage stopped at the front of the Zhi household's main gates, the old Officer Zhi has been waiting with his family to welcome the general at the main door.

General Xiao was infamous for being moody and capricious in court. Officer Zhi only hopes that while General Xiao stays in their residence, nothing big would happen.

Once he saw the carriage stop, Officer Zhi hurriedly bowed and said, “This lowly…”

“I don’t need too much courtesy. Be quiet, you'll wake her up.” He suppressed his volume into a tender tone, there is a trace of unspeakable gentleness in his voice.

Officer Zhi blanked out for a moment, this voice… Is this really the cold and aloof general? Also, who is "her” ?

“Military Officer Liu.” Xiao Zhi Zhi spoke with a low voice from inside the carriage.

“I am here.” Officer Liu stood next to the carriage and also answered with a lowered voice.

“If there is an uproar nearby, silence them.”

“Understood.”

Officer Zhi shivered, as expected, General Xiao is a fearsome man.

As the curtains of the horse carriage slowly rised, the elegant silhouette finally appeared in front of the people's eyes.

His pitch black hair was tied up using a jade hair pin. He had healthy and clean fair skin, but his deep eyes gave a sense of warning and danger.

He had a straight nose, and his slightly raised thin lips gave the people an impression that he was less of a cold statue and more of a human.

He was hugging someone in his arms. Whenever he looked at the body in his arms, his eyes would soften and his face would show a doting expression.

Officer Zhi suddenly felt his knees buckle up. This person… is he really General Xiao?

He wanted to see the person in the general's arms, but because the face is facing the general's chest, only the hair and posture can be seen by the people.

“Lead the way.” Xiao Zhi Zhi glanced at Officer Zhi who was still dumbfounded as he stood beside him.

“Yes, yes.”

Officer Zhi also answered with a soft voice, he didn’t even had the chance to introduce his family members. He guided Xiao Zhi Zhi to the mansion house that was specially reserved for Xiao Zhi Zhi.

“General, this is your quarters. If there is something you're dissatisfied with, please inform this lowly attendant.”

“Hm.” Xiao Zhi Zhi calmly answered.

The person in his arms was safely laid on the bed. After a short moment though, the person moved. She opened her teary eyes, and said with a hoarse voice,

"Did we arrive to Cong Zhou?”

“Yes. But if you want to sleep more, you can.” Xiao Zhi Zhi said that because even he could see that she wasn't fully awake yet.

“Oh… ok.” Chu Zhu Yu yawned, and closed her eyes.

If she knew that they would arrive yesterday, she wouldn't read novels until late at night.

Xiao Zhi Zhi carefully positioned Chu Zhu Yu on the bed, covering her up with a warm blanket.

Officer Zhi stood like a rock next to him.

———

Since the day she arrived at Cong Zhou, even though a war was still continuing outside, she was peacefully brewing tea inside the mansion.

Sometimes she would also watch an opera performance inside with Officer Zhi’s wives, concubines, and maids.

Of course, she wanted to go outside.

She would often beg or bribe the gate soldiers to let her go outside. However, no one would dare to agree.

Even the high-ranking military officials, Officer Zhi and Officer Liu, were too terrified of Xiao Zhi Zhi to agree.

Whereas Xiao Zhi Zhi would always use the beauty scheme, kissing her until she forgets to say her request to go out.

Whenever he'd kiss her, her face will always turn red, and her heart would always beat faster than normal. Even if he kissed her out of nowhere, she still wouldn't refuse him.

She honestly likes the way he kisses her as he calls her name. She likes to look at his sleeping face while he hugs her.

His various expressions attracts her. His fulfilling expression after drinking the tea that she brews for him satisfies her. All those little things makes her feel as if she holds a very special place in his heart.

Of course, being special to a powerful person also has a negative perk to it, and that is…

“Lady Chu, I… I couldn't go out of the residence for two whole months because of work... I-if it's not a bother, I would really be indebt to the Lady if you could help me ask for half a day off to let me go and visit my family.”

One of the servants of the Zhi residence who was assigned to serve Xiao Zhi Zhi, kneeled on the ground and asked for her help.

“Hm... I'll give it a try.” Chu Zhu Yu agreed.

“Thank you very much, Lady Chu.” The servant retreated.

A few moments later…

“Lady Chu, my assistant, Wang Er, who was sweeping the floor today, accidentally stepped on the general's clothes that fell off the chair.”

“That… Isn't it fine to just wash the clothes again?.” Who is Wang Er? She doesn’t know him.

“Even though Wang Er is a bit careless, he is a good person. He is kind and honest, so I was hoping that Lady Chu would say a few positive words about him. I beg of you to spare Wang Er's life!”

Life?!

“He could die because of dirty clothes?” She almost choked on her saliva.

“Because it's the general's clothes.”

“I will speak to the general, I won’t let Wang Er lose his life.” She was sweating bullets.

“Thank you so much, Lady Chu.”

Another moment passed...

“Lady Chu! Lady Chu!” someone was shouting outside of her room. Chu Zhu Yu's head was starting to hurt, she packed the tea leaves that she was observing, stood up, and walked to the front door.

Indeed, a chubby figure was out of breath because she ran all the way to Chu Zhu Yu's room. Chu Zhu Yu knew the person, she was the mansion's Li Mo Mo.

(E/R: Li Mo Mo = elderly maid).

“Lady Chu! Please come with me!” once the Li Mo Mo saw Chu Zhu Yu, she pulled her out without any explanation.

“Go? Go to where?” she replied.

“To rescue someone.”

What? Rescue someone?

“Are you sure I can help?”

“I'm sure, very sure. If it is you then this can still be solved.”

Li Mo Mo pulled Chu Zhu Yu while speaking, “Our young master didn’t listen to the command of the general. He took the army with him to chase the bandits by himself, and now he was captured! Master begged the general to rescue him but the general didn't agree.”

“...This is the army's matter. I shouldn't involve myself in things I don't understand.”

“It doesn’t matter even if you don't understand! As long as you beg the general for reinforcements to rescue the young master, it is more than enough!”

Li Mo Mo said with a sad tone, “The young master is the only son of our master. That's why he grew up to be a bit spoiled. But master already promised the general to punish the young master when he returns, he just wants to see him safe and sound again."

“However, even if I go now, I might not be able to help you.” Chu Zhu Yu hesitantly replied.

As she stayed in Cong Zhou, the Zhi family was very hospitable to her, treating her as a respectable guest. She wanted to repay their hospitability by helping them, but Chu Zhu Yu wasn't sure whether she could touch this sensitive subject or not.

“You can help. General Xiao will always listen to Lady Chu's words. Since master and the mistresses are at a loss of what to do, they are waiting for your help.”

He listens to me?

Chu Zhu Yu started to recall almost all of her interactions with Xiao Zhi Zhi. Fine, she admitted, most of time, he really does listen to her.

Because of their haste, the two women were absolutely unaware that they were being followed.

As they walk out of the courtyard, Chu Zhu Yu heard a blunt sound, and she looked to her side to see the elderly Li Mo Mo lying on the ground already.

“Li Mo Mo!”

She screamed in shock, and as she was about to help the elderly maid, she looked in front of her and saw a man dressed in black, his face fully covered except for his eyes.

“Are you Xiao Zhi Zhi's woman?”

“...Will you believe me if I say I'm not?”

Chu Zhu Yu tried to look around for help. But she realized that the guards who were supposed to be patrolling the residence, were also lying on the ground.

“Of course not.” The person in black replied. “My master already told me what you looked like. I just needed you to speak.”

“Who is your master?”

“You will know... If you get to live after this!” The person in black pulls out a black cloth from his clothes and covers Chu Zhu Yu's mouth with it.

She felt herself getting weaker, her vision blurred, and she slowly fainted.

The last thing in her mind before she fainted was...

If she knew she would be abducted like this, she would have asked Jue Qing to teach her some martial arts, she still might not be able to defeat anyone, but at least she would be able to escape.