Chapter 708: A Minor Disturbance

"This guilty woman brings her son Baoquan to pay respects to the Commander-in-Chief!" In the rear hall of the marshal's residence, Lady Yan, holding her young son's hand, knelt before Murong Yanzhao and bowed.

Observing her calm demeanor, neither humble nor overbearing—unusual for an ordinary woman—Murong felt a slight curiosity and raised his hand in a gesture, saying, "Lady Zhou, no need for such formalities!"

Murong Yanzhao was a man of great bearing, lacking the superficial brutality common to ordinary warriors; a faint smile was enough to put people at ease.

"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief!"

As she rose with her son, Murong Yanzhao's gaze fell upon Zhou Baoquan, whose eyes were clear and bright, and he asked lightly, "This is Zhou Xingfeng's son?"

"Yes!" Lady Yan gently stroked Zhou Baoquan's tender cheek.

"How old is he?"

"Three years old!"

Seeing Murong Yanzhao's questioning, she lowered her head to look at her beloved son, a trace of pity showing on her face. She took a deep breath, then raised her head to meet Murong Yanzhao's gaze: "May I ask the Commander-in-Chief, what of my husband's situation?"

In the two or three days since the Han army had entered Changsha, Lady Yan and her son had been kept under strict watch. She had tried to learn the details of Zhou Xingfeng's fate, but all her efforts had been in vain.

Hearing her question, Murong Yanzhao took his seat and answered calmly, "On the 21st of this month, our eastern army breached Baling city; Zhou Xingfeng fell in battle!"

Receiving this definitive answer, Lady Yan did not break down in a great display of emotion, but the sorrow on her face could not be concealed, and she held her son even tighter.

Zhou Baoquan tilted his head up, also clinging tightly to his mother's leg, looking around with eyes full of bewilderment and confusion. These past few days, too many unfamiliar faces had appeared in the house, his mother was not as she usually was, and he could no longer run and play on his favorite grassy field...

It took some time, but Lady Yan finally composed herself. Her face showed no unusual expression, as if all her grief had been buried deep within her flesh and blood. She slowly knelt down, and seeing this, Zhou Baoquan obediently followed suit.

"What is the meaning of this, madam?" Murong Yanzhao asked.

Lady Yan calmly met Murong Yanzhao's gaze and said, "The Zhou clan never bestowed kindness upon the people. My husband recklessly raised arms against the imperial army, and the soldiers and civilians of Huxiang all suffered for it—thinking of it fills me with shame. Now that my husband has fallen, this humble woman and her son Baoquan still live. Now that the imperial army has come, if the court wishes to pursue the matter, I am willing to take my son to death to atone for his crimes!"

Hearing these words, Murong Yanzhao finally showed a hint of emotion, examining the mother and son as he said, "I had long heard of Lady Zhou's reputation for righteousness—diligent, frugal, virtuous, and deeply understanding of great principles. Seeing you today, you are indeed no ordinary woman. With such insight and such breadth of character, you surpass most men!"

"Rise, madam!" He waved his hand in a gesture, then after a moment of deliberation, Murong Yanzhao said with a magnanimous expression, "Zhou Xingfeng died in battle—he brought disaster upon himself. As his wife and son, you should by rights be implicated. But considering that you repented in time, surrendered the entire city, and did no harm to the soldiers and civilians of Changsha, your punishment may be lightened.

As for how to deal with you and your son, that must be reported to the court and await the Son of Heaven's decree. However, given the Son of Heaven's benevolence and magnanimity, He should not make things difficult for you orphans and widows!"

Murong Yanzhao's words somewhat eased her mind, and Lady Yan could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. If one could be spared, who would choose death? She was certainly not afraid to die, but she had to think of her son.

"Rest for a while and prepare your belongings. I will send men tomorrow to escort you and your son to the Eastern Capital!" Murong Yanzhao added.

Perhaps also feeling some pity for this mother and son, Murong Yanzhao said with a tolerant expression, "The journey north is long and distant. You may bring four servants and maids to attend to you along the way. If you have any other requests, madam, speak freely—so long as they are reasonable, I shall grant them!"

"The Commander-in-Chief is generous and merciful; this humble woman thanks you!" Lady Yan bowed deeply to Murong Yanzhao, gratitude showing on her face.

Raising her eyes to look at him, her tone carried a note of entreaty: "I want no servants or maids. I only ask that the Commander-in-Chief show mercy and pardon one person!"

"Oh? Who?" Murong Yanzhao's interest was piqued.

"Zhou Liang, captain of my late husband's personal guard, came south bearing a letter. When the imperial army entered the city, he was captured by the soldiers!" Lady Yan said.

Murong Yanzhao cast a questioning glance at Shi Yanchao, who was attending nearby: "Is this so?"

"Yes!" Shi Yanchao nodded, then hastily explained, "His return south was somewhat suspicious. That Zhou Liang was Zhou Xingfeng's confidant; I feared he might have some scheme, so I arrested him for interrogation!"

"What did the letter say?" Murong Yanzhao asked.

Shi Yanchao looked somewhat embarrassed, his voice lowering: "Just words of apology, urging Lady Yan to surrender to the court, preserve her life, and raise her son to adulthood!"

"If that is so, why do you still hold him?" Murong Yanzhao seemed somewhat displeased.

Shi Yanchao said, "If he was merely delivering a letter, why would he return with a hundred armored soldiers? There must be some scheme behind it!"

Murong Yanzhao thought for a moment, then waved his hand: "Bring the man up!"

Soon, Zhou Liang, dressed only in his inner garments, was brought up by two soldiers, covered in whip welts and brands, bloody and shocking to behold. Seeing this, Murong Yanzhao's brow immediately furrowed, and he cast a glance at Shi Yanchao that made the latter quite uncomfortable.

"You are Zhou Xingfeng's personal guard captain?"

"Yes!" Disheveled hair obscured his vision, but seeing Murong Yanzhao seated solemnly at the hall's dais, Zhou Liang replied in a weak voice.

"Some say you came south on Zhou Xingfeng's orders, and besides delivering a letter, you also bore a secret command to carry out some scheme! Is this true? Can you explain it to me?" Murong Yanzhao asked leisurely.

Hearing the question, Zhou Liang glanced at Lady Yan and her son beside him, then gave a bitter smile: "That is correct!"

"I am a servant of the Zhou household, and indeed I received a secret order from my master—to protect the Lady and the young lord. As for any scheme, that is merely the baseless speculation of petty men..."

Watching his eyes, Zhou Liang stared back wide-eyed, showing not a trace of fear. This man has a backbone of iron, Murong Yanzhao thought to himself.

"Such loyalty is indeed rare!" Murong Yanzhao said with a faint smile.

He straightened up, let out a breath, and waved his hand: "Enough. I will decide this matter myself—no further inquiry. Madam, take this man back with you!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Commander-in-Chief!" Lady Yan said respectfully.

Hearing this, Zhou Liang was also somewhat stunned.

"This is a righteous man! Mindful of past kindness, acting in loyalty, unafraid of life or death—truly rare!" Murong Yanzhao seemed somewhat appreciative, and instructed Shi Yanchao, "Release the man, and have his wounds treated!"

"Yes!" Though somewhat unwilling, Shi Yanchao dared not disobey.

After Lady Yan, her son, and Zhou Liang had all withdrawn, Shi Yanchao could not help but say, "Commander-in-Chief, do you believe his story?"

"His words may hold something back, but this man's loyalty cannot be faked!" Murong Yanzhao said.

"But if we do not investigate this matter thoroughly, I fear there may be hidden dangers!" Shi Yanchao cautioned.

Hearing this, Murong Yanzhao turned his head to gaze at him: "What hidden dangers? Let me ask you—where are the hundred soldiers who returned with him?"

"Their armor and weapons were confiscated, and they are held in the military camp!"

"Did Lady Yan surrender? Did she offer any resistance?"

"No!"

"And Zhou Liang—do you think continued interrogation would yield any results?"

"That man has a hard mouth..." Shi Yanchao had to admit.

"In that case, Changsha has already surrendered, Lady Yan is submissive—why should we make things difficult for these orphans and widows? As for whatever scheme may lie behind it, that is nothing but baseless speculation!" Murong Yanzhao examined Shi Yanchao: "Rather, you—why are you so interested in torture and interrogation all of a sudden?"

After thinking it over, Shi Yanchao also came to his senses. Given the current situation, what waves could Lady Yan and her son possibly stir? With an embarrassed laugh, Shi Yanchao said, "Just a passing whim..."

Hasty footsteps echoed through the marshal's residence, the clashing and clanging of armor somewhat unsettling. Shi Yanchao strode straight to the office and stepped into the hall, where he saw Li Guanxiang writing official documents with brush in hand.

Seeing Shi Yanchao, Li Guanxiang immediately set down his brush and rose with a smiling face to greet him. But Shi Yanchao, upon seeing him, revealed a cold, sharp smile, strode forward in large steps, and swung his horsewhip viciously at Li Guanxiang.

Caught completely off guard, Li Guanxiang was knocked to the ground by the whip, a shrill scream ringing out. Hearing this, Shi Yanchao did not relent; he swung the whip faster and harder, lashing Li Guanxiang as he rolled about on the ground.

"General, what is the meaning of this?"

"What crime has this humble official committed?"

"Please, have mercy!"

Even as he cried out in pain, questioning and begging for mercy, Shi Yanchao paid him no heed—cold-faced, silent, he simply kept lashing. The assembled staff officers nearby, seeing Shi Yanchao's murderous bearing, all kept well away, and listening to the whip cutting through the air, that pain of flesh being struck seemed to resonate with them as if they felt it themselves.

Li Guanxiang was, after all, merely a man of letters—how could he withstand such a beating? After enduring a dozen or so lashes, he could only whimper and moan, his pleas for mercy barely able to form words.

Seeing that his official robe had been beaten to shreds, Shi Yanchao finally stopped. Rolling up the horsewhip stained with traces of blood, he glared at Li Guanxiang and berated him: "All because of you, you petty villain! Had you not stirred up trouble from the middle, how would I have made a mountain out of a molehill and gone to interrogate that Zhou Liang! What conspiracy, what great merit—I gained nothing from it, and instead lost face before the Commander-in-Chief..."

With that said, Shi Yanchao turned and left.

Only after that fierce demon had gone far away did the assembled staff officers dare to crowd around and examine Li Guanxiang's condition. As for Li Guanxiang, he had already been beaten until tears and snot ran freely down his face...