Deathly silence filled the entire hall.
The moment Ash Liren executed Ash Zhuo, Suo Lun’s gaze immediately turned towards Lady Lizhi.
He saw her body tremble violently, freeze for a moment, then let out a long sigh of relief.
Her gaze was complex, neither sorrowful nor relaxed, but rather an enduring loneliness.
Suo Lun lowered his gaze, a thought flashing through his mind.
In the future, should he kill this Lady Lizhi as well? Because with her existence, there would always be someone holding authority over Ash Liren.
But this thought passed in merely an instant. Lady Lizhi ultimately had no true evil deeds, her sins did not warrant death. She was merely a clever woman lacking independent judgement.
After Ash Zhuo’s death, the Ash Family basically no longer had anyone capable of challenging Ash Liren’s position.
The entire hall remained frozen for quite a while.
Then, led by Interior Secretary Min Zhuo, all the civil officials knelt down in perfect unison, saying, “We pay respects to the City Lord.”
Merely seconds later, the high-ranking military officers also knelt down in perfect unison, saying, “We pay respects to the City Lord.”
Finally, all the high-ranking warrior lords knelt down, saying, “We pay respects to our Lord.”
After Ash Zhuo died, there was truly no one left who could openly oppose Ash Liren. And when Lady Lizhi and Ash Liren joined forces, there was no one left in the entire Rouran City territory who could confront Ash Liren head-on.
Because her martial arts were formidable, she could kill people, and she possessed the nominal right to kill.
At this time, Lady Lizhi suddenly said, “Liren, move into the City Lord’s residence today. Living alone inside is far too lonely for me.”
“Yes.” Ash Liren said.
…
In the afternoon, Ash Liren, accompanied by over a hundred female warriors, entered the City Lord’s residence. Suo Lun also followed her in!
Within Lady Lizhi’s courtyard.
All of Ash Zhuo’s eyes and ears within the City Lord’s residence had already been rooted out.
Suo Lun also showed no courtesy whatsoever, immediately replacing Lady Lizhi’s courtyard with Ash Liren’s female warriors.
Lady Lizhi was dressed in full regalia, appearing several years younger than last night, once again possessing that lingering charm.
She gently embraced Ash Shiyuanba, her gaze somewhat doting.
This boy was far too cunning, his mouth sweet, capable of feigning innocence, coaxing Lady Lizhi into utter delight.
Unlike Ash Shi Nan, who was stubborn and righteous, disliking Lady Lizhi and showing it directly upon her face. After an awkward few minutes of contact, Suo Lun had someone take Shi Nan away. Leaving Yuanba to act spoiled and adorable, coaxing Lady Lizhi into continuous laughter.
Suo Lun knew that to a great extent, Lady Lizhi was treating Yuanba as a substitute for her youngest son.
Of course, one could not entirely say so, because Yuanba was after all her biological grandson, Ash Shiluo’s only son.
After affectionately embracing her grandson Yuanba for quite a while, Lady Lizhi cast a glance towards Suo Lun.
“Yuanba, wait for me outside.” Suo Lun said.
Yuanba stood up, behaving obediently, “Grandmother, I will accompany you for dinner tonight.”
“Very well, my good grandson.” Lady Lizhi said, planting a kiss on his small face.
Yuanba walked out. Only Suo Lun and Lady Lizhi remained in the room.
…
“Are you Suo Lun?” Lady Lizhi said.
“Yes, Lady.” Suo Lun said.
Lady Lizhi asked, “Do you and Liren truly have a relationship?”
She asked rather directly.
“No.” Suo Lun said straightforwardly, “We are completely innocent. Because of this rumour, she has already refrained from killing me over a dozen times.”
Lady Lizhi could not help but smile. She knew Liren’s temperament best, and she also did not believe Liren and Suo Lun would have any illicit affair.
However, seeing Suo Lun’s beautiful face, she could not help but feel somewhat doubtful.
“Where did you take Little Leopard?” Lady Lizhi asked.
Suo Lun did not answer.
Lady Lizhi said, “Then, can I still see him? Can you return him to me?”
Suo Lun said, “From now on, Ni Ya is his mother. Before he grows up and understands matters, I will not let him come to see you.”
“Grow up and understand matters, that is still ten years away.” Lady Lizhi sighed, “Ten years, I can wait.”
Then, she said again, “What you are doing is better. After all, his origins are not honourable. Knowing them would only make him feel unable to hold his head up.”
“Moreover, compared to me, Ni Ya is the better mother. Otherwise, I would not have asked her to care for Little Leopard back then.”
Lady Lizhi was after all advanced in years. Once she opened the floodgates of conversation, she could not quite stop, regardless of her distant relationship with Suo Lun, speaking deeply despite their shallow acquaintance.
Suddenly, she raised her head and said, “In truth, you threatened me with Little Leopard yesterday, but even if I had not agreed, you would not have done anything to him. This discernment I still possess.”
Suo Lun said nothing.
Lady Lizhi said, “Actually, I must also thank you for freeing me from that shameful relationship.”
…
“Teacher, where are we going?” Yuanba asked.
Suo Lun said, “To see someone.”
Yuanba’s small face turned pale, then he stopped in his tracks, saying, “Teacher, can we not go?”
This was truly an extremely clever child. He knew Suo Lun was taking him to see his biological mother, Tao Su.
In his heart, he loved only his mother Ash Liren alone. Just now, towards Grandmother Lady Lizhi, there had been an element of playing along.
But towards his biological mother Tao Su, he could not play along. Nor could he be overly affectionate. He felt that his love for his mother could not be divided by even the slightest amount, otherwise it would be a betrayal of his mother.
“Silly child, it is your mother who asked you to go see her.” Suo Lun said.
Ash Shiyuanba took several deep breaths, then bravely followed Suo Lun and continued walking forward.
Tao Su’s courtyard was very small, but filled with flowers and plants, and many small animals.
Although she had once been Ash Shimo’s most doted-upon concubine, she had very few maidservants, merely two.
At this time, she was filled with unease, unable to sit or stand, pacing back and forth within the room.
Since last night she had begun making pastries, all kinds of pastries.
Then, arranging them this way was not right, that way was not right either.
When Suo Lun brought Ash Shiyuanba into her small courtyard, she immediately rushed out from the room. Upon seeing Yuanba, she stopped in her tracks, her entire being ill at ease.
This was not her first time seeing Yuanba, but it was indeed the first time after the truth was revealed.
At this moment, her heart was filled with maternal love, yet also filled with inferiority and unease.
Rather than a mother protecting her child, she seemed more like a restless small beast.
This display of hers instead caused Ash Shiyuanba to calm down, calling out to Tao Su, “Auntie.”
“Yes…” Tao Su responded, yet felt her throat tighten, a feeling of wanting to cry, yet not from sadness.
“I, I made some pastries. Would you like to eat them?” Tao Su said carefully.
Suo Lun said, “I have not eaten anything since this morning. Madam Tao Su, will you not invite me to eat?”
Tao Su’s face instantly flushed red, saying, “I also invite the gentleman…”
Suo Lun led Yuanba inside, seeing the table covered with pastries, incomparably exquisite and marvellous, their colours moving, appearing utterly delicious.
Suo Lun showed absolutely no courtesy, tossing them into his mouth one after another.
Truly a feast for the eyes, the nose, and the tongue.
Tao Su’s culinary skills were truly formidable, even surpassing his elder sister Suo Ningbing.
Yuanba initially had no appetite, but later seeing Suo Lun eating heartily, he also followed suit. The two of them seemed to be competing.
Seeing this situation, Tao Su felt happy in her heart, and also relaxed.
After eating their fill, drinking a cup of milk wine, and letting out a satisfied burp, Suo Lun said, “Yuanba, tell the truth. Is your mother’s cooking tasty?”
Yuanba lowered his head, saying nothing.
“Not tasty, truly not tasty. The style is monotonous, the flavour bland. I cannot eat it.” Suo Lun said, “In the future, let Auntie Tao Su follow by your mother’s side and cook for you all. Moreover, after your mother becomes City Lord, she probably will not have time to cook anymore.”
Instantly, Tao Su’s eyes lit up, gazing towards Yuanba.
She had not the slightest intention of competing with Ash Liren for her son. She felt utterly inferior about her own status, absolutely unwilling to let Yuanba call her mother. But if she could be by Yuanba’s side every day, washing clothes and cooking for him, that would be the greatest happiness.
Yuanba nodded, then said, “However, this matter still requires the gentleman to speak of it.”
Suo Lun nodded, then led Yuanba away by the hand.
These were biological mother and son. Although there were feelings in their hearts, they were complex and slightly awkward. True closeness required gradual progression. Spending such a long time together from the start would instead be unnatural.
When walking out of the courtyard, Tao Su suddenly called out, “Gentleman, you, please wait a moment.”
Suo Lun said, “Wait for me outside.”
Then, he turned back and entered the room.
Tao Su knelt down on both knees, saying, “Many thanks to the gentleman for fulfilling this.”
“You must not do this.” Suo Lun hurriedly said, “It would be quite inappropriate for me to step forward and help you up.”
The moment these words were spoken, Tao Su’s face turned completely red, even the roots of her ears reddening.
If that incident had not occurred, Suo Lun stepping forward to help her up would have caused not the slightest psychological barrier.
But because that damned Ash Shiluo had drugged Suo Lun, causing him and Tao Su to share a few unforgettable shichen.
At that time, Suo Lun had been delirious, knowing nothing. But Tao Su had been clear-minded, fully aware.
Therefore, neither of them could face the other. After all, they had shared absolute skin-to-skin intimacy, even frenzied and bone-deep passion between man and woman.
“Rise yourself. I take my leave…” Suo Lun said.
…
Within the deliberation hall.
Liren sat upon the City Lord’s throne, her eyes revealing a slightly strange expression.
Regarding the matter of the City Lord position, it was finally settled. She had finally preserved the City Lord position for her son.
This position, were it not for her son Ash Shiyuanba, she would never have sat upon it for her entire life.
“All of this is your accomplishment.” Ash Liren said, “If not for you, my City Lord position would already have been abolished by others, and I would have been pinned with crimes impossible to wash clean. Yuanba would also have completely lost everything.”
“It was merely a slight effort.” Suo Lun said.
Liren said, “But I have said, I still will not openly support Princess Zhi Yan. Abandon this notion.”
Suo Lun nodded and said, “I know.”
Liren said, “Now that Ash Zhuo is dead, temporarily no one can shake my City Lord position. Your remaining here is of little use. You might as well leave.”
Her words were natural, without the slightest trace of guilt.
Suo Lun said speechlessly, “Sigh, for you to speak of killing the donkey after the mill is done with such righteous confidence is truly rare.”
Liren said, “I already told you long ago, I am a cold and ruthless person.”
“Hehe…” Suo Lun gave another classic reply.
Liren said, “Truly, you should go. The City Lord’s residence does not welcome you.”
“I will not go…” Suo Lun sat down, saying, “I will not rest until I achieve my goal.”
“Impossible.” Ash Liren said with absolute conviction, “I cannot openly support Princess Zhi Yan. That would place Rouran City in a position of danger. No matter how greatly you have helped me, how great the merit you have established, I will not agree to you in the slightest.”
Suo Lun gazed at her enchanting eyes, saying, “Ah Li, you are afraid of me.”
Liren laughed coldly, yet the jade hand in her sleeve trembled slightly.
Suo Lun said, “Last time you drove me away, you were blaming me in anger. But the deeper reason was because every time you saw me, it would stir up guilt over Ash Shiluo, making you unable to face it. So you truly wished to drive me away. Every extra second I remained was painful for you.”
Liren fell silent.
Suo Lun continued, “But regarding Ash Shiluo’s death, you can already face it. You also clearly know that death was the best liberation for him, requiring no guilt whatsoever. In the future, inheriting his will, being enemies with the Dragon God Temple for life, seeking justice for him, is the proper course.”
Liren continued to remain silent.
“Therefore, my remaining before you will no longer touch upon your guilt and pain over him.” Suo Lun said, “And yet at this time you still drive me away, because you are afraid of me.”
Liren raised her palm, lifting it high. The moment Suo Lun spoke any unspeakable words, she would strike down.
Suo Lun said, “You do not value benefits. No benefit can bind you. You appear cold and ruthless, yet are sentimental to the extreme. Once someone enters your heart, you will give everything.”
“Shameless…” Ash Liren said coldly.
Suo Lun said, “I will not leave. Even if you throw me out today, I will secretly climb back in tonight.”
“Shameless.” Liren said.
Suo Lun said, “After you struck that first slap, I already had no face left. What face do I still need?”
Ash Liren said coldly, “Someone, prepare a servant’s room for Suo Lun. No maidservant is to accompany him. Daily food, clothing, and provisions are to be of servant class.”
“Yes.” a female warrior outside said.
…
Following this, Suo Lun indeed shamelessly remained in the City Lord’s residence without leaving, still giving lessons to Yuanba and Shi Nan every day.
But between him and Liren, they fell into an absolute cold war.
Ash Liren absolutely performed the play of killing the hounds once the hares are gone, without the slightest concealment.
After resolving the crisis and firmly establishing her City Lord position, she directly cast Suo Lun aside, not even giving him the opportunity to meet.
Whether in the deliberation hall or her room, every time he was blocked by two female warriors.
Moreover, she never appeared in Yuanba and Shi Nan’s lessons.
Moreover, his treatment in the City Lord’s residence rapidly declined, equivalent to the lowest class of servants.
Day after day passed.
Suo Lun still achieved nothing. As long as Rouran City did not openly support Zhi Yan, his mission was not complete.
But Ash Liren resolutely would not open her mouth.
Suo Lun said that Liren was afraid of him.
Correct, Ash Liren was indeed afraid of him. Afraid of having another person enter her heart. Making her once again suffer unbearable pain.
Therefore, she directly gave Suo Lun no opportunity to meet whatsoever.
This way, even if Suo Lun possessed heaven-shaking methods, he could not deploy them.
Time was incomparably precious to Suo Lun.
Because, the King could die at any moment.
Once the King died, Zhi Li would inherit the throne without the slightest obstacle. At that time, Tianshui City and the Suo Clan would both be completely destroyed.
Every day that passed, Suo Lun drew one day closer to destruction, one day closer to the King’s death.
But he could not leave. Before Rouran City openly pledged allegiance to Zhi Yan, he could not leave.
Half a month passed.
A month passed.
Suo Lun achieved nothing, still not even having seen Ash Liren’s face.
However, Rouran City did return to calm.
Previously, Ash Shimo had hidden in the relic castle cultivating immortality, and Rouran City’s civil and military governance had been orderly.
Now with Ash Liren as City Lord, things could not possibly become worse.
Liren only listened to reports, rarely making decisions, rarely directly interfering.
She indeed completely followed Suo Lun’s advice: only kill people, speak no words.
After killing Ash Zhuo, she successively killed three more people: a high-ranking warrior lord, a general, and a civil official.
All three were guilty of heinous crimes.
After the killings, the entire Rouran City trembled with fear, the atmosphere clearing up.
Ash Liren’s tenure as City Lord proceeded rather smoothly, while on Suo Lun’s side, each day truly felt like a year, filled with anxiety.
…
A month and a half had passed since Ash Liren entered the City Lord’s residence.
On this day, Suo Lun was eating in his room.
In order to drive him away, Ash Liren had given him even worse treatment than at Liren’s residence: only a small room to live in, not a single maidservant, and he even needed to cook for himself.
Many times Tao Su secretly brought him food, but was scolded by Liren.
He was eating egg fried rice, because it was the simplest.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a waft of icy delicate fragrance blew into the room.
Ash Liren walked in. Over a month had passed. This was the first time Suo Lun had seen her.
Of course, it was also the first time Liren had seen Suo Lun. The moment she saw him, she trembled.
A month and a half without seeing him, Suo Lun seemed to have aged several years.
His incomparably handsome face was now covered in unkempt stubble, his eyes filled with exhaustion, his garments appearing grey and worn.
At this time, he was holding a bowl of egg fried rice and eating.
“Why must you do this?” Liren said.
A princess’s fiance, a kingdom’s feudal lord, yet crouched in a servant’s room in Ash Liren’s residence living a servant-class life.
Suo Lun shrugged his shoulders.
Liren said, “Urgent report from the border. The Ye Lan Duchy’s three hundred thousand strong army is invading. Their Crown Prince personally serves as commander-in-chief, bringing the nation’s entire military strength to invade. Rouran is in imminent peril.”
Suo Lun said, “Can you win?”
Liren shook her head and said, “If ten years ago, we could win. Now, we cannot win.”
Suo Lun said, “What are the consequences of not winning?”
Liren said, “Rouran City will be destroyed. At least three quarters of the territory will be ceded. All the territory expanded over several decades will be completely surrendered.”
“It is a calamity of utter destruction.” Suo Lun said.
Liren said, “Yes, a calamity of utter destruction.”
Suo Lun said, “Now is when Rouran City is at its weakest. The Ye Lan Duchy, unless they are fools, will certainly take advantage of the situation to invade.”
In truth, the Ye Lan Duchy’s reaction was still too slow. They should have invaded when Ash Liren and Ash Zhuo were in the thick of internal strife, with the City Lord position hanging in the balance.
But it was still not too late, because the formidable ruler Ash Shimo was no longer present.
The female City Lord Ash Liren’s position was not yet stable. Because there had been no true great battles for over a decade, and Ash Shimo had long neglected governance, the combat effectiveness of Rouran City’s great army had also severely declined.
Now was indeed when Rouran City was at its weakest.
Suo Lun said, “Zhi Li, will he not help? Currently only he has the capability to dispatch troops to save you. He holds a million strong army in his hands.”
Ash Liren said, “He agreed to dispatch troops to save us, but on the condition that I leave the City Lord position and marry him as a concubine.”
Suo Lun said in shock, “The successive kings of the Nu Lang Kingdom have practised monogamy for a long time.”
Ash Liren said, “However, the kingdom’s laws do not explicitly stipulate that the King need not take concubines, do they? The kings of Beiting and Xiliang each have several concubines.”
Suo Lun said, “Will you agree to him?”
“No.” Ash Liren said.
Suo Lun said, “What do you plan to do?”
Ash Liren said, “Do you have a way to save Rouran City?”
Suo Lun closed his eyes and said, “Yes, but there is one condition.”
Ash Liren’s beautiful eyes trembled, and she lowered her head.
The thing she least wanted had happened. She was being forced to bow her head and compromise.
Someone as proud as her ultimately still had to lower her head, forced by Suo Lun to agree to pledge allegiance to Zhi Yan.
What she hated most, what she least wanted, was being forced by others.
Therefore, she would rather risk the danger of Rouran’s destruction than agree to Zhi Li.
Suo Lun knew that the decisive battle between him and Ash Liren had arrived! This time, regardless of win or lose, there would be a result.
Either he would thoroughly conquer Ash Liren, or he would leave Rouran City in disgrace, a complete failure.
“What condition? Speak!” Ash Liren said.
“You struck me several slaps before. I have always wanted revenge, but have been troubled by my inability to defeat you.” Suo Lun said, “If I save Rouran City, you must let me strike one slap.”
Ash Liren’s beautiful eyes widened round, unable to believe her ears. This… this was Suo Lun’s condition.
He had expended countless efforts, endured countless grievances, was it not all to make her pledge allegiance to Zhi Yan? Yet the condition he raised was not this, but rather to strike her one slap.
Suo Lun’s gaze fell upon her round and pert buttocks, saying, “Moreover, the place I wish to strike is not your face, but your bottom!”