Chapter 109 The Empress Destroyed Your Country (35)

“I didn’t use the power that I shouldn’t have used. I summoned thunder to strike a few people in the tent.”

Upon hearing these words, Song Zhi was stunned. 

So that’s how it was… she had thought it was just a stroke of luck that had saved her that night, but it was actually her lord.

“I remembered that you could have escaped with the other two girls, but you noticed something unusual about that guard and killed them. And then you even tried to save other women and ended up saving me again. Now, after so many years, Song Zhi, do you remember why you followed me to Minnan in the first place? And why did you work so hard to learn the whip technique? As a beginner, it must have been painful to feel the whip on your body. At that time, your body, and sometimes even your face, were covered in whip marks. Have you forgotten all of that? What kind of ability does Ming Changrong have that both of the girls I trained made mistakes?”

Bai Tang was still willing to give them both a chance, as long as they could seize it.

Song Zhi’s eyes cleared up a bit, “The reasons I followed my lord in the first place were; first, because I had escaped from the army and was a wanted criminal, living in fear. Second, my lord was powerful enough to escape from the heavily guarded palace with Yueqing, and I wanted to learn from you. Third, my lord taught me how to read and write, something I never even dared to dream of before. Fourth, by learning martial arts, I could protect myself and others. I chose the whip because it’s flexible and can be wrapped around my waist and used unexpectedly when necessary. When practicing, the feeling of the whip hitting my face was hot and painful, and I still remember it to this day.

“It was because of me that Yueqing promoted Ming Changrong into the army. He’s very good to me, gentle, and caring, he takes care of me and comforts me. He also stands by my side. My lord, I’m already a withered flower and fallen leaf, and I don’t deserve such a good person. If someone doesn’t dislike me, I’m already lucky. Meeting Ming Changrong is already a stroke of luck for me.”

As Ayimu listened, her brow furrowed in consternation. Was there something wrong with these women from the Central Plains that they looked down on themselves like this? After all, Song Zhi was a general who commanded hundreds of thousands of troops in training! She still wasn’t worthy? Still a withered flower and fallen leaf?

Bai Tang looked complicated and said, “It seems that I have been away for too long, and have lacked concern for all of you, so much so that the people I used to have high hopes for now leave me somewhat disappointed. Song Zhi, does Ming Changrong know about that¹ matter?”

Song Zhi nodded. Precisely because Ming Changrong knew but was still willing to treat her well that she began to have feelings for him.

Bai Tang asked again, “What has Ming Changrong done for you? Tell me in detail. As a lord, I shouldn’t interfere too much in your love life, but I can’t let things get out of hand either.”

Song Zhi recalled and looked at the woman standing tall and imposing before her. “When I was injured, he would have someone send me ointment. When I had my menstruation, he would have someone make me brown sugar water. He always encouraged me to take care of myself.”

After hearing this, Ayimu looked at Song Zhi as if she were a fool. Was that it? Was that all it took to capture a woman’s heart?

Ayimu glanced at Bai Tang, and then said, “Miss Song, are all women from the Central Plains so easily fooled? Did he ever do anything for you himself, or was it all done by others on his behalf? When I was trapped in quicksand, it was our lord who saved me. When I was attacked by a pack of wolves and left behind by the other men, it was our lord who noticed my absence and came alone to rescue me. She took care of me for over a month while I recovered from my injuries, bringing me food and medicine and giving me guidance. The ointment and brown sugar water that seem so insignificant were all sent by him through others. How can you be so touched by just a few words? So easily fooled? Then I would like to kidnap a few of these women from the Central Plains myself.”

——

1. TL/N: Refer to chapter 76 & 78 for what happened to Song Zhi. ↩︎

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