Volume One, Chapter Four: Countless People Want Me Dead

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An unforeseen calamity erupted suddenly. The wealthy merchant’s eyes widened in shock as he knelt dumbfounded on the ground. Though his right arm tingled and felt numb, it still seemed to belong to his body, retaining some semblance of sensation.

He almost convinced himself that the sword strike from moments before was merely an illusion born of excessive fear. After all, how could a delicate, petite woman wield a blade sharp enough to slice through iron like mud?

Yet the gruesome, gushing wound at his shoulder and the lifeless, bluish severed arm lying on the ground left no doubt. This fragile-looking young lady had indeed severed the merchant’s arm with a swift, decisive stroke.

“Xiao Zhi, you... you’re simply reckless!” Zhu Xuanli recalled his youngest daughter’s timid nature; the only time she ever acted out was when she ran away. He never imagined that after finding her, her temperament would change so drastically. It seemed the trauma she endured had left a deep psychological scar.

But having been a farmer for over a decade, he had long shed his former character. Even if he had been lucky enough to be chosen to ascend the throne, he was merely a puppet without real power.

The very men he had borrowed from others to find her gave him no confidence or authority to support his daughter.

He grasped his daughter’s trembling hand gently, trying to soothe her by placing a hand on her shoulder. When Zhu Xiao Zhi instinctively shook him off, he awkwardly let his hand fall.

“You’re not hurt after all, and the other side has already offered ten thousand taels of silver in compensation. You shouldn’t be so impulsive.”

What a joke. Those who bought women from kidnappers to use as playthings and bear children deserved no mercy. If they let this old man go today, who knew how many women he would harm in the future?

Zhu Xiao Zhi’s gaze swept over the silent crowd, trembling like a cold wind.

“He merely knows General Ning. Kidnapping women is a crime against the law of the realm, yet he can buy his way out for ten thousand taels of silver. As the daughter of the Emperor of the Great Chu, I will return the ten thousand taels but demand his hand in punishment. It is only just and reasonable.”

“Besides, if he receives timely treatment, his life could still be saved. Father, didn’t you say that even if I didn’t act, I would want to kill him to ease my anger?”

In the heat of the moment, she had spoken rashly. Now standing unharmed here, entangled with forces beyond control, Zhu Xuanli was naturally reluctant to stir up more trouble and simply sought to resolve matters quickly.

“Father surely supports you, but—”

“Your father is right, Your Highness. The Liu family pays more than ten thousand taels of silver annually. If you impulsively cut off his arm, where will my treasury be replenished from?”

A dozen or so servants carried a massive wooden sedan chair, surrounding a mound of flesh that moved slowly forward—it was none other than Ning Dehai, the military governor of Fanyang, a powerful warlord ruling his domain.

This man held great historical significance; later generations often blamed him as a key figure who indirectly precipitated the dynasty’s fall.

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Eight years hence, he would be the first to launch a nationwide rebellion, prompting other military governors to follow suit. The court, hollowed out by noble families and imperial clans, verged on bankruptcy and was powerless to quell the uprisings, ushering in the most turbulent era of division in history—lands torn apart, families destroyed, and the realm in ruins.

Up close, Zhu Xiao Zhi could finally make out the tiny eyes like peas atop the mound of flesh. They fixed upon her like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

“Your Highness, will the court open its treasury to compensate my losses?” asked a white-clad youth who suddenly stepped forward to stand before her. His jawline was clear and sharp. His voice was bright and clear, like a mountain spring, and the sandalwood-scented white sleeves brushed away the lingering metallic scent of blood in the air.

“The Liu family died for their crimes, and their estates should rightfully belong to General Ning. Are a dozen silk shops not enough to cover your losses?”

The youth stood seven feet tall; Zhu Xiao Zhi only reached his chin. Ning Dehai, however, was one and a half times taller and borne on the sedan chair, his formidable presence even more imposing.

He cast a sideways glance at the presumptuous youth, disdainful.

“Who is this wild boy? I’ve heard too many tales of heroes rescuing beauties, but you don’t know your own limits. By what right do you speak for the court?”

The youth cupped his hands respectfully. “I am Pei, holding the rank of Langzhong in the Ministry of Rites, a special envoy sent to welcome His Majesty’s ascension.”

The entire mound of flesh trembled with laughter. Several bearers, unable to bear the weight, relaxed slightly, causing the sedan chair to tilt to one side. Ning Dehai cracked his whip, lashing the waxy, bony skin of the servants. Their threadbare cloth was torn, revealing scars from years of whipping.

“The court sends a child as an envoy? What a joke! Even if Princess Changle has no one suitable, surely the noble families have capable men?”

Unfazed, the youth produced a brocade pouch from his chest and took out a translucent white jade seal. Although worn by time, faint dragon patterns still shimmered in the night.

“With this imperial seal, who dares show disrespect?”

Ning Dehai’s large eyes greedily locked onto the seal, lingering before reluctantly averting his gaze. He clicked his thick lips.

“I dare not, I dare not. A mere Liu, Your Highness, if you wish to kill him, so be it.”

“But the court is far away in Chang’an. The Liu estate is useless to you. Why not grant it to me? I have long served on the frontier; it is a hard life indeed.”

Seeing the tense atmosphere ease, Zhu Xuanli quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

“General Ning has rendered great service and deserves reward.”

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Ning Dehai placed a hand on his bulging belly, nodding with satisfaction. The mound of flesh rolled forward, passing over the twitching merchant on the ground as if he were merely a decorative stone in the courtyard.

“Come, let’s see the Liu family’s concubines in the backyard.”

“Wait!” The girl’s clear, bell-like voice shattered the night’s silence once more.

“General An only wants this estate; the people inside should have other fates. The Liu family was punished for forcibly taking women as wives and concubines. Does General An intend to commit the same crime?”

Zhu Xuanli and the white-clad youth each grasped one sleeve of Zhu Xiao Zhi. The latter, emboldened, twisted her wrist and deftly disarmed the sword from her hand.

The writhing mound suddenly froze. Ning Dehai turned his head, the folds of fat around his neck leaving clear indentations. A playful smile curled his lips.

“What’s this? Planning to kill me too?”

At the mention of “kill,” one sedan bearer’s legs buckled and he collapsed, revealing a few small silver needles hidden in his fingertips.

“Spare me, sir, spare me! I only wished to save my daughter...”

A corner of the mound lost support. Some burly men bit their teeth and hoisted the sedan chair higher to prevent Ning Dehai from falling.

Ning Dehai laughed heartily, his short arms pointing at the fallen servant.

“Countless have tried to kill me. Hearts are hard to guard, even my carefully chosen servants, like him, want me dead. But the question is, can you kill me?”

“No, he cannot, and neither can you, Your Highness. After all, your father still needs me to guard the north.”

If Fanyang were to fall into chaos, the Eastern Capital would be exposed, a juicy morsel for foreign powers. Ning Dehai exploited this to amass power and become the local overlord.

“The night grows deep. Esteemed guests, please depart. I have urgent matters tonight and may not rise early to see you off tomorrow.”