“Speak then, how do you plan to dispose of me?” Ashi Liren stared at Suo Lun and asked. The affection in her gaze had not diminished, but neither had the sarcasm on her face.
Suo Lun ought to be the kind of man who understood women’s hearts best. He completely knew Liren’s thoughts at this moment.
She was indeed moved by him, even emotionally stirred.
The tingling numbness and sense of surrender the moment her snowy buttocks were struck had already proven everything.
But Suo Lun’s motive in approaching her and provoking her was to gain her support, not out of love.
With her personality, she could not tolerate even a grain of sand in her eyes.
So during those days in Rouran City, she had not proactively seen Suo Lun. It was not because she was playing hard to get, but because she did not know what to do next.
If anything truly happened, it would destined to be an unfair relationship.
After waiting several days, Suo Lun resolutely left. Because he knew that there was no longer any suspense regarding Ashi Liren and Rouran City’s position.
He had not expected that after learning of Suo Lun’s departure, Ashi Liren would actually arrive at the royal capital Zhi Du one step ahead of him.
From this one could see that her character was偏执 (obsessive) and强势 (dominant).
However, from the fact that she was waiting here for Suo Lun, and from her sharp words, one could tell that she already had an answer in her heart as to how their relationship should develop next.
Ashi Liren said, “How to dispose of me, you ought not to have an answer, correct? Then why not listen to my answer.”
“Very well,” Suo Lun said.
Ashi Liren said, “I will stand together with you, live and die together, advance and retreat together!”
Suo Lun nodded.
Ashi Liren said, “I like you, you make my heart flutter, you enter my fragrant dreams!”
Just hearing these words, Suo Lun’s heart was already racing.
“But…” Ashi Liren said, “If nothing changes, our relationship ends here, and will not progress any further. Because your motive in provoking me was not due to emotion, but due to interest.”
Suo Lun remained silent. He had long anticipated this result.
“I like you, but I will not be with you,” Ashi Liren said. “Because this is not a fair relationship.”
Suo Lun gazed at her beautiful eyes. After a long while he said, “I am sorry!”
Ashi Liren was silent for a moment, then asked, “Suo Lun, which woman in this world do you love the most? The kind of man-woman love!”
Suo Lun thought for quite a while, then said, “Elder sister Suo Ningbing.”
Ashi Liren’s beautiful eyes widened, somewhat startled, her face slightly reddening.
Then, she stared into Suo Lun’s eyes and said, “You truly are a bastard, even more of a bastard than Ashi Luo.”
Suo Lun could hardly explain that he and Suo Ningbing were not true blood siblings.
“However, I do not know why, my heart beats even faster,” Ashi Liren said. “It seems most women like bad men, especially men who are bad but not evil.”
The evil she spoke of was Ashi Luo.
This was originally a man who made one’s heart race, but he was excessively evil, so he made people afraid rather than moved.
The first moment Gui Qinshao saw him, she was afraid and dared not look at him again.
Ashi Liren took a deep breath and said, “I am a very devoted person. I will always stand by your side. But if you dare mention anything about spanking buttocks again, I will break your hand.”
Suo Lun forced a smile and said, “Then I will desperately train in martial arts, striving to surpass you in cultivation one day earlier, so that I may strike as I please and do as I wish.”
Ashi Liren looked seriously at Suo Lun and said, “That would also work. Being ravished by a man who moves one’s heart is probably also a way to break through an emotional bottleneck.”
Suo Lun was stunned.
…
“Suo Lun has returned to the royal capital!” Zhi Li sighed.
Zhi Wei, Gui Xingfu and Tu Lingtuo and the others exchanged glances with complex expressions.
“This person truly is a demon,” Zhi Li said. “He helped Ashi Liren to the City Lord position, destroyed Ashi Zhuo within a few short days. Even more exaggerated, facing the invasion of the Yelan Duchy’s three hundred thousand strong army, a situation where even gods could not save them, he actually turned it around.”
Yes, a demon…
The Tu Lingtuo, Zhi Wei, Gui Xingfu and others present were deeply shaken.
At that time, when the Yelan Duchy’s three hundred thousand strong army invaded Rouran, Ashi Liren came to request aid, but Zhi Li paid no heed.
Because he felt that Rouran was destined to fall, so he might as well let destruction pave the way for construction. Either force Ashi Liren to completely submit, or simply let the Yelan Duchy destroy Rouran, cutting off one arm of Zhiyan and Suo Lun.
After he succeeded to the throne, he would send troops to reclaim it, turning it into the kingdom’s directly governed Nulang Province, breaking and then establishing anew.
But he had never expected that the heavens and earth would actually be turned around.
Grand Duke Lanshi had actually died a sudden death, causing Crown Prince Lantu’s two hundred thousand plus strong army to withdraw, and Rouran City was actually saved.
Although there was no sign or evidence whatsoever proving that Lanshi Grand Duke’s death was related to Suo Lun, Zhi Li instinctively felt that this was Suo Lun’s handiwork.
“Should we expose that Lanshi Grand Duke’s death was Suo Lun’s doing?” Duke Zhi Wei said.
Tu Lingtuo and Gui Xingfu did not speak.
Zhi Li shook his head and said, “There is no evidence whatsoever, and the Dragon God Temple has already endorsed Lanshi Grand Duke’s death, saying it was a warning from heaven, a divine thunderbolt sent from the sky.”
Zhi Wei said, “Is there truly no way to deal with this little beast?”
Zhi Li sighed and said, “Originally, during this period I did not wish to create any additional complications. I just wanted to quietly wait for Zhi Bian to die, and smoothly succeed to the throne. I had not expected that Suo Lun would actually stage such a performance.”
Zhi Wei said, “Fortunately, up to now, Rouran City has not yet publicly declared its stance!”
And just at this moment, a eunuch entered from outside, trembling slightly as he said, “Your Highness, Rouran City Lord Ashi Liren has arrived at the royal capital!”
…
Ashi Liren had already entered the royal capital long ago, except the previous time she had infiltrated it alone.
And this time she entered with over a thousand cavalry, hundreds of attendants, grandly and openly entering the royal capital before everyone’s eyes!
The world’s greatest vassal had entered the royal capital!
This was the first time in over a decade that the Rouran City Lord had visited the royal capital.
The previous generation City Lord Ashi Mo, apart from visiting the royal capital to pay homage to the king in the first year of his allegiance, had not set half a foot in Zhi Du thereafter.
Moreover, although known as a vassal of the Nulang Kingdom, for nearly twenty years Rouran City had maintained absolute independence, whether in military, political or economic affairs.
Tianshui City, as a fellow vassal, needed to pay taxes and tribute to the royal capital every year, whereas Rouran City’s annual tax payment to the royal house was merely symbolic, less than one thousand gold coins.
And now, the Rouran City Lord had finally set foot in the royal capital a second time, instantly causing the entire Zhi Du to completely erupt in excitement, with empty streets as all came out to watch!
To show respect for this world’s greatest vassal, both Zhi Li and Zhiyan actually came to the royal capital city gates to welcome her.
Not only that, nearly the entire nobility of Zhi Du and royal family members turned out in full force.
At this time, at the entire Zhi Du city gate, security was tight as if facing a formidable enemy.
Over ten thousand soldiers arrayed in formation, like nails guarding every inch of the city walls above and below.
Several hundred nobles and their family members stood at the city gate waiting to welcome the first vassal’s visit.
On the vast open ground before the city gate, two camps were clearly distinct.
On the right, there were only three people: Princess Zhiyan, Suo Lun, and Duke Zhi Ting.
And on the left, Crown Prince Zhi Li led the way, with several hundred people standing behind him, representatives of nearly all vassals, all nobles in the royal capital, and high officials and dignitaries.
The contrast in strength between the two sides could no longer be described as悬殊 (disparate), it was completely an absolutely压倒性的 (overwhelming) advantage.
Zhi Li wanted everyone to see that the entire world stood on his side.
Originally, even to welcome the world’s greatest vassal, such a grand display was unnecessary. But first, Zhi Li wanted to mend the fold after the sheep were lost, using the highest etiquette to welcome Ashi Liren so that she would at least remain neutral. Of course, more importantly it was a show of force, letting Ashi Liren clearly see how enormous the power behind him was.
Suo Lun, as a vassal and Princess Zhiyan’s fiance, stood side by side with Zhiyan, even standing before Duke Zhi Ting.
Behind Zhi Li, Suo Lun saw many familiar figures. Among them, the Luanyang City heir Tu Liyang was particularly conspicuous due to his height, and in front of him he pushed a wheelchair with Tu Lingduo sitting upon it.
Actually, she had already recovered, but in order to refuse to consummate her marriage with Tu Liyang, she still pretended to be paralysed and sat in the wheelchair.
Suo Lun saw that she had actually become somewhat plumper, and her skin complexion had lightened considerably.
This ought to also be the first time she saw Suo Lun since being thrown into the sea by Yan Mo, but throughout the entire process she never once glanced towards Suo Lun.
Another especially dazzling figure was Gui Qinshao.
She was simply too radiant. No matter where she stood, she was like a rose with thorns, devastatingly beautiful and soul-stirring.
At this moment, she stood beside her father Gui Xingfu and Ling Ao.
Normally, she was always haughty and arrogant. The more she was in a crowd, the more she was like a proud little peacock, desperately blooming her own beauty to attract others’ gazes.
But today, she seemed preoccupied, somewhat distracted.
Moreover, she had also not glanced towards Suo Lun once.
…
They waited a full half hour.
Finally, the Rouran City procession arrived grandly.
Over a thousand Rouran cavalry escorting one or two magnificently ornate and enormous carriages entered everyone’s view.
When there were still over a dozen metres from the city gate, the Rouran cavalry halted their horses.
But the door of that magnificent carriage opened, and a figure stepped down.
Instantly…
The entire field drew in a breath of cold air.
Whether Zhi Li or other men, all eyes widened greatly.
Even the preoccupied Gui Qinshao incredulously widened her beautiful eyes, gazing at Ashi Liren stepping down from the carriage.
Everyone present was seeing Ashi Liren’s face for the first time!
It was actually… such absolute, peerless beauty.
What is called倾国倾城 (beauty that topples cities and kingdoms)?
What is called a masterpiece of heaven?
Now everyone finally understood. Zhi Li even stopped breathing for a moment.
He had originally believed that there was no one more beautiful than Zhiyan in this world, no one more gorgeous than Gui Qinshao.
And the Ashi Liren before his eyes possessed beauty equal to Zhiyan’s, peerless and unparalleled.
And in gorgeousness, she even surpassed Gui Qinshao.
That icy, fairy-like air of transcendence, that innate seductive bone structure and devil’s figure bringing forth enchantment.
This was completely a fusion of fairy and demoness.
In this instant, an endless surge of possessiveness welled up in Crown Prince Zhi Li’s heart!
For the first time, he was filled with an exclusive desire because of a woman’s beauty!
He had always believed that feminine beauty was merely an embellishment of power. But at this moment, he deeply felt that if he could not possess such a woman for himself, it would be unworthy of being king.
And Gui Qinshao kept her eyes wide open, her small mouth forgetting to close.
She truly could not believe that there existed a woman in this world who was more beautiful than her while also being even more gorgeous.
Suo Lun was also surprised. When Ashi Liren entered the royal capital publicly this time, she was not wearing her mask!
This meant that from now on she would completely bid farewell to the mask. What did this signify?
Ashi Liren approached gracefully, her steps filled with both the heroism of a strong expert and the allure of a woman.
As she drew near, an enchanting fragrance, an icy aura swept towards them.
Suo Lun now finally knew what it was like when the entire venue fell into silent stillness, when everyone held their breath.
When only one person faced Liren, her beauty was already astonishing. And when all gazes converged upon her, she truly shone like a star, sparkling and glowing wherever she walked.
This was already no longer merely beauty, but more a kind of temperament, a kind of radiance.
The Dragon Yin Severed Meridians may have made her life brief, but they thoroughly condensed and burst forth her decades of beauty.
“Greetings to His Highness Zhi Li, greetings to Her Highness Zhiyan!” Ashi Liren stepped forward and performed a half bow.
Zhi Li’s gaze briefly grew迷离 (dazed). Hearing that Liren had actually placed his own name before Zhiyan’s, he was instantly secretly delighted.
He truly had not expected that Ashi Liren would be beautiful to such a degree.
“Ashi City Lord has travelled arduously,” Zhi Li extended his hand in a gesture of support, then said, “Tonight, I shall host a banquet at my residence to wash away the dust for you.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness,” Ashi Liren said.
Zhi Li was secretly delighted once again!
Then, the elaborate formalities of a vassal visiting the royal capital formally began, lasting a full quarter hour!
Ashi Liren led her thousand cavalry into the royal capital Zhi Du, and moved into the Rouran Marquis’s mansion!
As the world’s greatest vassal, the royal house certainly would not be stingy with a residence. It was just that this Marquis’s mansion had been granted over a decade ago, yet not a single day had it been occupied.
Today, as the master, Ashi Liren finally moved in.
After settling into the Rouran Marquis’s mansion, bathing and changing clothes, Ashi Liren entered the royal palace to pay homage to the king!
Of course, she could not see the king, because now Zhi Bian would see no one, but the etiquette still needed to be properly observed.
After night fell, Crown Prince Zhi Li, in his capacity as heir apparent, hosted the grandest banquet!
All vassals, all nobles, all high civil officials, high military officers, all foreign envoys, all were present!
This banquet had only one purpose: to wash away the dust for Rouran City Lord Ashi Liren!
…
Suo Lun, as one of the vassals and Princess Zhiyan’s fiance, naturally also attended Zhi Li’s banquet.
When he and Zhiyan entered the Young Lord’s residence, nearly everyone had already arrived.
Ashi Liren was in the centre of the banquet hall, personally accompanied by Zhi Li, like stars cupping the moon.
Nearly all vassals and nobles surrounded her and Zhi Li.
Because Liren had long studied martial arts in the Eastern Li Kingdom and never appeared in public settings in the Nulang Kingdom, she did not yet know anyone.
Zhi Li patiently and gently introduced every noble, every high noble above the rank of count, to her.
The icy Ashi Liren would at most merely nod to each noble and vassal, but even her mere nod in response already made people feel overwhelmed by favour.
During the daytime welcome at the city gate, because it was the focus of universal attention, many men were still able to directly gaze at Ashi Liren’s countenance.
And at tonight’s banquet, because the distance was too close and it was a one-on-one confrontation, facing Ashi Liren’s peerless countenance, many men even instinctively lowered their heads after a single glance.
That absolutely beautiful face, icy temperament, mountain-and-valley undulating devil’s figure, paired with the aura of a peak-level strong expert, while bringing enormous enchantment also brought enormous pressure.
Tonight’s banquet, because of her presence, truly made all other women appear dim and lacklustre in comparison.
The only one who could rival her in appearance, Princess Zhiyan, happened to be wearing elegant and simple clothing, lightly holding Suo Lun’s arm, unwilling to compete for any share of attention.
…
“Greetings to Her Highness the Princess!” Suddenly, an old man’s voice came from behind Suo Lun.
He could not help but turn to look.
Instantly, he saw a tall, elderly man. Suo Lun took one look and actually felt somewhat familiar, yet was certain he had never met him.
Very quickly, he knew why he felt familiar, because the old man looked somewhat similar to himself.
This old man similarly possessed a feminine male appearance. In his youth he must certainly have been an extremely handsome figure.
But unlike Suo Lun, on his handsome face grew a pair of especially domineering eyebrows, making him appear filled with a sharp and霸气 (domineering) air.
His age ought to already exceed sixty or seventy, but he appeared as if only around fifty. His hair and beard were all black, except a streak dyed red in the centre of his hair.
Moreover, he was also wearing a crimson brocade robe.
Domineering, cold, unfathomably profound!
This was Suo Lun’s first impression of the old man before him.
He was Suo Lun’s maternal grandfather, the world’s second greatest vassal, the Fire Worship City Lord Marquis Fu E.
“Greetings to maternal grandfather,” Suo Lun bowed in salute.
Zhiyan slightly performed a half bow and said, “Greetings to maternal grandfather.”
She actually also called him maternal grandfather, expressing her intention to follow her husband’s lead.
Marquis Fu E was also slightly startled, and once again saluted Princess Zhiyan.
Immediately after, his expression towards Suo Lun became very poor, his gaze icy, his face stern, and he said, “Come with me!”
Then, without another word he directly walked out.
Suo Lun glanced at Zhiyan, then followed him out, not knowing what this maternal grandfather who had severed relations for many years had to say to him.
Having walked out of the banquet hall, suddenly a delicate figure passed by Suo Lun with lowered head.
Then, Suo Lun felt an extra paper ball in his hand.
Suo Lun walked to a deserted place and opened it. Upon it was written:
“Come to the back of the garden rockery, I will wait for you. There is an important matter!”
Signed: Qinshao.
Yes, Qinshao, omitting the surname! The one who had just given him the paper ball seemed to also be Gui Qinshao’s personal maid.
Suo Lun thought that indeed he had not seen Gui Qinshao’s figure in the banquet hall just now, and during the daytime welcome of Ashi Liren at the city gate, she had also appeared somewhat distracted?
An important matter? What matter was it?
Then, Suo Lun noticed that this note still carried a fragrance. Looking closely, he indeed discovered a faint lip print.
It was certainly Gui Qinshao’s handwriting, and the lip print was also her lip print.
No matter what important matter there was, one thing was certain: this bold young lady was carrying lustful intentions.
However, Suo Lun currently had no mind to engage in a secret tryst with this young lady, because his maternal grandfather Fu E was seeking him for a matter.
Putting away the note, Suo Lun continued following behind Fu E.
He had not expected that Fu E would keep walking forward, and the direction seemed to also be the garden.
This was a rather inevitable coincidence, because he had very private words to say, and only in the most secluded part of the garden.
Arriving at the depths of the Young Lord’s residence garden, here it was already secluded and deserted.
Not far ahead was the rockery where Gui Qinshao had arranged to meet, and Suo Lun could even still sense her breathing, her rapid nervous heartbeat, and her unique bodily fragrance.
Maternal grandfather Marquis Fu E stopped, turned around and said coldly to Suo Lun, “Suo Lun, your mother asked me to pass on a message to you.”