Chapter 41: The Heartless Man

Once everyone was seated, the conference room grew even quieter.

Without a word from the king, none of the generals dared to speak. Reclining in the leather chair, Daha’s eyes darted around restlessly: What a damn comfortable chair—if only I could bring it back to my tribe! Of course, that was just wishful thinking; he would never dare ask the king for it.

The pre-prepared sweet herbal tea was served, each cup drifting to the small tables beside everyone. Lin Shu picked one up and took a sip.

“Generals, tomorrow we attack the Liaodong Garrison. When your units enter Liaodong, not a single civilian must be harmed.”

There were hundreds of thousands of Yan-Huang people in Liaodong and Liaoxi. Lin Shu had to warn the generals, especially the Donghu cavalrymen notorious for their looting and brutality.

A chill filled the air, and Imu felt a sudden wave of unease.

“Rest assured, my king. I will issue strict orders to every unit. Should anyone dare to harm a single civilian, I will personally behead them.”

Knowing the king’s warning was aimed at the Donghu cavalry, the uneasy Imu quickly stood to pledge his loyalty.

The clever Xite Daha stood as well and made his vow, followed by Halong and Lei Ming. The Wildmen Army, though savage, followed orders well. The Donghu, with their more complicated minds, were much less disciplined.

Once the generals were seated, Jing Ni, standing to the left and behind, also rose.

“My king, Crown Prince Dan of Yan sent envoys twice before, but you were absent, and General Halong turned them away.”

She and the others hadn’t been present then, and the Donghu generals weren’t qualified to receive envoys; Halong, especially, couldn’t be bothered—why bother talking when you can fight?

“Hmph! I have nothing to discuss with Yan Dan, that scoundrel! Send Yanfei instead!”

The foolish Lady Yanfei had betrayed the Yin-Yang Clan for Yan Dan, helped him kill the Six-Fingered Black Hero, and was ultimately abandoned by Yan Dan along with her mother.

“A scoundrel?” Jing Ni frowned. This man already has three women at home, and now he’s thinking of Yanfei?

Moon Goddess was also irritated at his words. And how did he know Lady Yanfei would be with Yan Dan?

She glanced over—hmm? The atmosphere between the two beauties seemed tense.

“A scoundrel is a man who betrays those who love him—wife or daughter. Isn’t Lady Yanfei with Yan Dan now? I think it’s best to let her do the talking. As for Yan Dan, I’ve no time for him!”

Realizing Jing Ni was jealous, Lin Shu hurried to explain.

“Oh, I see. Still, Lady Yanfei does have poor taste!” Jing Ni laughed softly, realizing her mistake.

Moon Goddess also understood. Somehow, Lin Shu had heard rumors and thought Yanfei and Yan Dan were already together.

“My king, Lady Yanfei does carry the Yin-Yang mission, but she only intended to make Yan Dan’s acquaintance. She recently visited me, after all,” said Moon Goddess. After all, she was her own elder sister. She hadn’t expected her to come visit so soon!

Truth be told, Lady Yanfei worried that her younger sister might be bullied by the king, but she was disappointed—the Moon Goddess was living a far better life!

“So, they’re not together yet!” Lin Shu suddenly regretted his earlier assumptions. If he’d known Yanfei wasn’t attached, he might have taken some liberties with her. There were hundreds, thousands of beauties in the seven kingdoms, but he wasn’t a philanderer; having a few true-hearted beauties was enough.

Even so, he hoped to leave some fond memories with the women he met, so their encounters wouldn’t be in vain.

“Well, perhaps it won’t be long.” The Moon Goddess sighed softly. Sent on a mission, Yanfei was destined for heartbreak.

“Good. Then tomorrow, let Yan Dan come to the city gate.” Lin Shu was quite irritated by Yan Dan’s pretentious airs—tomorrow would be the perfect time to teach him a lesson.

“That’s all for now. Generals, take your tea and prepare for tomorrow’s campaign.”

The small council thus concluded, and Lin Shu rose to his feet.

“As you command, my king—thank you, my king.”

Hada swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the crystal goblet in Xite’s hand. Such a treasure shouldn’t belong to that brat!

The generals bowed, then all stood dumbfounded.

“Qianqian, let’s return to camp!” In an instant, they left the carriage, leaving Xuan Zhan marveling—just how magical was this carriage?

Imu and the others, glancing at the teacups in their hands, finally relaxed.

The three women followed Lin Shu out of the conference room and returned to the master bedroom.

After gazing a while at the giggling child on the little bed, Jing Ni glared at Lin Shu.

Heh—Moon Goddess lowered her head and smiled; the king hadn’t realized yet.

Lin Shu felt a bit confused—was his queen jealous over Yanfei now? But how did she know what he was thinking?

“My wife, you’ve worked hard lately. Let your husband serve you well tonight.”

Shaoshao’s face turned pale—they were going to cuddle again! Did this scoundrel forget she was here?

“Hmph! Don’t say such nonsense!” Jing Ni shook her head in shy anger. Had he forgotten they were all present?

But as he hugged her, Jing Ni’s anger melted away. She wasn’t truly upset.

“Dear, Xiao Yue already told me—you bullied her and kept it from me all this time?”

So that was it! Lin Shu understood now.

But he bullied me too—how come you didn’t notice, sister? Shaoshao pouted in grievance.

Jing Ni didn’t lose her temper, which only made Lin Shu feel even more apologetic.

In truth, he would never accept such betrayal from a woman, yet he himself fell for every beauty he met. He hadn’t even settled things with Shaoshao, yet here he was, coveting Yanfei.

“Jing Ni, I am truly ashamed.”

Jing Ni shook her head, grasping Lin Shu’s hand to reassure him.

“Don’t say that, my love! Men are meant to have multiple wives and concubines, especially an emperor!”

Even so, Jing Ni couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Who says women are inferior to men? She once refused to believe it. But after the despair of giving birth in the snow, she realized women truly couldn’t be stronger than men.

Thinking of her less-than-innocent past, Jing Ni was content with her current life. Though the king often peeped at them, she sensed his deep and abiding love for her and their daughter.

“My king, Sister Jing Ni’s heart belongs to you alone! Don’t truly become a heartless libertine—don’t be like Yan Dan!”

If she were in Jing Ni’s place, Moon Goddess admitted she’d never be so forgiving. But as the other woman, she had no right to say more.

Three thousand beauties in the harem—the king as a tireless conqueror! Remembering her own aching waist, Lin Shu shook his head. If Jing Ni got angry, he’d be finished; three thousand more and he’d be dead, spaceship or no.

“Jing Ni, Xiao Yue, Shaoshao, rest assured—I won’t fill the palace with women. Having you three is enough.”

Lin Shu declared earnestly, but someone wasn’t convinced.

What’s it got to do with me? This man!

Face flushed, Shaoshao quickly slipped away.

“Oh, men! Xiao Yue, we must keep a close eye on the king from now on,” Jing Ni sighed. It was only because she’d been away that this scoundrel had gotten involved with the Moon Goddess. When she was around, he wouldn’t dare think of anyone else.

“Yes, agreed! And you’d better not wander off again! Or maybe you should stay too, Xiao Yue.”

As Lin Shu spoke, the room grew dim, like that moment just before nightfall.

Night had come—it was time for sleep.

“My king, I’ll go for a walk first,” Moon Goddess said. She wasn’t eager for intimacy, especially with Jing Ni present.

Jing Ni said nothing, but as soon as Moon Goddess left, she changed.

“Hmph, you wish for both at once! Let’s see how capable you are tonight.”

Lin Shu felt a chill at his waist, but soon enough, he threw caution to the wind.

Now, Shaoshao and Moon Goddess were no longer restricted; they could go wherever they pleased. Even if they wanted to leave for good, Lin Shu wouldn’t stop them—but from then on, they’d be nothing but strangers.

Shaoshao stood atop the treetops, gazing at the long, serpentine city wall in the distance.

Power was like poison, corroding one’s very bones. Over the past month, Shaoshao had come to understand this deeply.

This past month, she had traveled to inspect the various divisions at East Sea, Snowfield, and North Sea Lake.

One city after another had sprung up in the wilderness. Once, the savage tribes suffered hunger and bloodshed, but now they had grown gentle; the young and elderly of the tribes could finally rest and relax.

The girl in purple, Shaoshao, was the empire’s holy maiden. The tribes not only knew of her, but even hung her portraits.

Of course, her face was always blurred and even her calves, clad in stockings, were pixelated—Lin Shu didn’t want anyone fantasizing about his Shaoshao.

As a woman, Shaoshao traveled with a few hundred riders, yet she was received with the highest honors by every tribe.

The feeling of being revered by tens of thousands made her realize her own heart was slowly changing.