Chapter 178: The Qiang King's Woman

These are all things you imagined; my father doesn't mean that! Zhang Xiuer shouted loudly, her emotions somewhat agitated, she could barely maintain her ladylike composure.

Chen Wuji said calmly: "Actually, you already know what I'm saying is true, you just refuse to admit it. It's clear you've been well protected by your father; none of those dirty deeds have touched you."

But your father's hands are stained with the blood of Nan Jun's populace; the souls of the Zhao clan still wail to this day. Those bandits were raised by him personally; since I killed the bandits, he wants to crush me like an insect in passing.

It's just a pity that even I, this insect, feel my life isn't that cheap...

Impossible, this is absolutely impossible! Zhang Xiuer broke down, suddenly bursting into tears.

Chen Wuji calmly regarded that frail figure: "Your father certainly won't live up to the image you have of him, but if you wish, you can help him atone!"

The recorder, Chazi, lifted his head to glance at Chen Wuji, then at the two bamboo slips he'd wasted writing on, his expression like constipation.

Good grief, this is an interrogation, not a place for you two to flirt.

Chazi was speechless for a moment, silently pulling out a writing knife.

Damn, truly speechless.

So, does my father really intend to rebel? Zhang Xiuer, tears streaming like pear blossoms in rain, suddenly asked.

Chazi startled, immediately threw the writing knife aside and picked up his brush.

Does flirting still have this effect? I haven't even asked and I'm already speaking?

Chen Wuji didn't answer Zhang Xiuer's words, but instead countered: "It seems you also know something."

I don't know; it was said by the young leader of Lao Jie Qiang. Zhang Xiuer bit her lip hard, and from the force a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

Half a month ago, several guests suddenly arrived at our home; my father ordered me to entertain one of the young men. That scoundrel behaved frivolously and lightly, telling me he was my future husband, that I would become a princess consort. He also said their tribe was actively preparing for war, and would launch an attack on Nan Jun when winter arrived.

He also said this was a great net woven jointly by my father and several tribal chiefs, intended to check the Dayu Court, destroy General Zhou's great army, and make the court utterly lose control over the six counties south of Shenxian Ling.

But I don't believe this is true; my father is an honest official, a role model for scholars everywhere—how could he possibly do such a thing? I don't believe it!

Although the facts had already come from her own mouth, Zhang Xiuer still shook her head like a rattle-drum, constantly muttering that she didn't believe it.

The person she was closest to and most admired had suddenly become a great villain; she indeed had reason to collapse.

Chen Wuji neither offered comfort nor knew where to begin.

Zhang Xiuer is a fine young lady; in her dealings she bears the dignified propriety of a noble lady.

But if blame must be assigned, it can only be laid on her having a father named Zhang Mingyuan.

The brush in Chazi's hand flew up once again.

This time, few words were spoken, but the information conveyed was immense.

To check the court and overthrow General Zhou's great army—each of those words carries the weight of a thousand‑ton burden.

Once the Qiang tribes raid the border, do you know what the consequences would be? Chen Wuji asked.

Zhang Xiuer lowered her head, choking back sobs; though her voice was soft, the strain was enough to make it hoarse and exhausted.

That scoundrel told me my father had persuaded the eight Qiang tribes and promised them they could freely graze in the six counties south of Shenxian Ling, and… a population of one hundred thousand. Zhang Xiuer's weeping softened; she straightened her waist and lifted her gaze to Chen Wuji.

The court doesn't know about these things, does it?

Chen Wuji was utterly defeated by Zhang Xiuer's innocence.

If the court knew these things, how could it merely be investigating and letting Zhang Mingyuan run amok here? The Nine Kins Elimination Game would have already marked him for extermination.

Unless…

The present emperor is truly weak to the point of being beyond help.

How many troops have the Qiang tribes prepared? Chen Wuji asked.

Zhang Xiuer shook her head. "I don't know; that scoundrel only bragged to me that his tribe had eight thousand brave warriors, and that he would bring this valiant army to trample Nan Jun's soil to come marry me."

That scoundrel spoke too rudely; after that I stopped talking to him. Because of this matter, my father even rebuked me. At the time I thought he merely wanted to propose marriage to my family; now I realize all of this is true… it was my father's arrangement.

Chen Wuji sighed.

This slap of reality hit the girl hard—it was no light blow.

Everyone has laid it out so plainly, yet this girl still indulges in fantasies.

Take your time; any bit of information helps. Every word you speak is washing away the sins your father left behind—while Nan Jun's populace hasn't yet suffered devastation, hasn't been torn apart, there's still time. Chen Wuji said gently.

Zhang Xiuer remained silent for a long while, then shook her head. "I don't know anymore…"

Go rest; if anything comes to mind, you can say it anytime. Chen Wuji said.

Zhang Xiuer's eyes, red and swollen from crying hard, gave Chen Wuji a deep look before she turned and walked out.

Just as she was about to reach the door, she suddenly turned and asked, "Does what another person said count?"

Who?

I… the person who made me ill.

Your secret crush?

Zhang Xiuer suddenly blushed, but without refuting, she gave a slight nod.

What did he say? Chen Wuji became interested, feeling he had unearthed another explosive scoop.

Zhang Xiuer gathered her thoughts and said: "He is the eldest son of the Zhao family. I used to stay often at my maternal uncle's house when I was young, and I interacted with him frequently; over time I developed… feelings. I always thought he felt the same way toward me, because he treated me very gently…"

Chazi looked at the thing he'd casually written down, his expression once again like constipation.

How did we end up dragging in another person again?

One future husband arranged by parents, one self‑imagined secret crush, plus this Master Chen.

That makes three men, huh!

Miss, what kind of fate do you have that warrants such exaggeration?

Chen Wuji himself felt a bit bewildered at this moment.

Miss, are you sure what you're saying is what I want to hear?

Laborers don't want to hear your two innocent lovebirds' cloying childhood‑sweetheart melodrama.

Zhang Xiuer's story had a long prelude; as her rambling made Chen Wuji nearly unable to resist interrupting, she suddenly shifted gears and finally got to the point.

Last Qingming, I followed my mother back to my hometown to honor the ancestors, and saw that person again. We attended the same poetry gathering; after drinking, I couldn't let go and mentioned a little of that... my... idea, although for a woman it's quite shameful, I couldn't help myself.

But he told me, I am destined to be the woman of the Qiang king; he is not worthy.