Chapter 189 This Damn Charm
Song Hu was so anxious he was scratching his ears and cheeks.
He wanted to explain, but felt he was clumsy with words, so he could only fret.
For the next two days, Su Qian avoided Song Hu, steering clear whenever possible.
Even when they met, her attitude was extremely polite.
The more she acted this way, the more Song Hu felt a gnawing anxiety...
Inside the room, Shen Yulou and the Princess were drinking tea.
"How has your honey trap been doing these past few days?"
"It's mostly succeeded."
The Princess nodded; she had observed Song Hu's behavior these past few days.
She estimated it wouldn't be long before Su Qian had him completely reeled in.
Just as the two were sipping tea and doing a tactical review of Song Hu, the big fish about to be caught, the courtyard gate was pushed open from the outside with a bang.
Li Hui rushed in, covered in dust from his journey.
Li Hui plopped down, not bothering with pleasantries, and grabbed the teapot, taking several large gulps directly from the spout before he finally caught his breath.
"I heard that this time, the Wulin Kingdom Envoy is a woman!"
"A woman?"
Shen Yulou was a bit surprised, "Is Wulin Kingdom out of people? Sending a woman to handle affairs?"
Li Hui said, "This woman is no ordinary person; she is Yue Yao, known as the number one beauty!"
Shen Yulou paused.
He had indeed heard that name before.
When investigating Consort Qing previously, he learned that Consort Qing was renowned in her youth, known as the world's number one beauty.
She and Wulin Kingdom's Yue Yao were both hailed as the number one beauty, one in the east and one in the west.
He never expected this woman to be dispatched here to redeem Song Hu?
Li Hui continued, "This woman is quite unique; she has 'cursed to death' two husbands, both of whom were famous generals of Wulin Kingdom. Her reputation as a husband-killer has even reached us."
Shen Yulou almost spat out his tea.
That's quite an exaggeration, isn't it?
Li Hui's expression instantly turned serious.
"Don't you disbelieve it!
This Yue Yao was engaged twice, and both of her fiancés were prominent generals of Wulin Kingdom!
The first one died on the battlefield a month before the wedding, with no remains found!
The second one was even more absurd; the imperial edict granting the marriage had just arrived at his home, and he hadn't even met her yet, when he died of a high fever that very day!"
Hiss—
Shen Yulou and the Princess exchanged glances, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.
That's intense?
"So," Li Hui concluded, "this woman is a living legend in Wulin Kingdom!
Because of her hard fate, no one dares to marry her, and her personality has become extremely eccentric and arrogant.
It is said that she is a hundred times more difficult to deal with than Gongsun Changlin was last time!"
The group gathered, and the atmosphere instantly became somewhat heavy.
"So, is she still here for Song Hu this time?" the Princess asked.
"That's right!"
Li Hui nodded, "However, I heard through unofficial channels that they are very sincere this time!
That woman brought a grand gift, saying she wants to use a fiefdom to exchange for Song Hu's return!"
"A fiefdom?"
"Yes!" Li Hui's eyes were shining.
"That place is at the border of our Great Hun, Wulin Kingdom, and Yan State!
It's called Yanyun City!
Yanyun City has a strategic location, easy to defend but hard to attack. Inside, it's like a secluded paradise, with mountains, water, and plains, self-sufficient, and the Old Emperor's hand can't reach it!"
When Shen Yulou heard this, his eyes instantly lit up.
Isn't this the perfect retirement haven I've always dreamed of?!
A scene instantly formed in his mind.
He was lying in a grand armchair, holding the Princess's small hand.
Behind him stood a row of young maids, holding iced plum juice, and beneath his feet stretched an endless expanse of fields.
To be far from these scheming idiots in the Imperial City, and be a local emperor, would be incredibly satisfying!
If he could eventually sideline the Old Emperor and help Zhao Ying ascend, and then act as a regent behind the curtain, staying in the Imperial City and wielding power wouldn't be bad either.
But what if?
What if the dog emperor one day went crazy and thought he was too meritorious for the master, wanting to discard him after use?
This Yanyun City was simply a tailor-made escape route for him!
It wasn't just him; even the Princess was tempted.
She didn't want to live her entire life under the shadow of her imperial uncle, perhaps to be put under house arrest again someday, or directly granted a cup of poisoned wine.
Having her own territory, that was true freedom!
The atmosphere in the room instantly became heated.
Everyone yearned for Yanyun City.
Li Hui said.
"Lord Shen, since the other party is a woman, and a widow."
"This matter is simple."
"You personally take action and win her over."
Shen Yulou:...If he couldn't beat him, Shen Yulou would have wanted to give him a big slap right then.
You think of me for the husband-killing thing, not afraid I'll be cursed to death, are you?
Li Hui, however, was completely unaware and continued his analysis.
"Although the difficulty is a bit high, after all, she cursed two to death.
Most people can't handle it, but Lord Shen is no ordinary person!"
This time, to Shen Yulou's surprise, the Princess next to him not only wasn't angry but even nodded thoughtfully.
"Husband, I think Commander Li makes sense.
If we can really get that land, sacrificing a little bit of charm is worth it."
Shen Yulou:...No, did you two sell me out so quickly?
Am I just a universal plug, then?
To be plugged in wherever needed?
And'sacrifice a little bit of charm'?
What if that woman really curses me to death?!
"Alright, alright, I'll try it."
He waved his hand impatiently, "But knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory. We need to first understand her background."
He looked at Li Hui and said.
"Old Li, take some time to wander around the inn where they are staying.
Gather some information about this woman."
"The rest, leave it to me."
...Meanwhile, at the other end of the courtyard.
Song Hu was holding the delicate sachet Su Qian had given him, sighing at the moon.
One moment he would hold the sachet under his nose and sniff, the faint fragrance making his heart flutter.
The next moment, he would look at Su Qian's tightly closed door with a worried expression, a frown on his face.
"It's over, she must be angry with me..."
"I shouldn't have nodded then!"
"But... but if the King comes to redeem me, can I not go back? Loyalty and righteousness are hard to reconcile!"
Song Hu crouched on the ground, holding his head, truly at a loss.
He, a fierce man who had charged through battlefields countless times, for the first time realized that a woman's mind was harder to deal with than a million soldiers!
Song Hu's current feeling could only be described in five words.
Gnawing anxiety.
He was exhausted from being drilled like a punching bag by Li Hui during the day for the past two days, but at night, he couldn't sleep at all.
As soon as he closed his eyes, all he could see was Su Qian's face, with a hint of resentment and grievance.
It was only at this moment that Song Hu belatedly realized.
He was falling in love!
It was all his fault for being too dashing!
This damned charm!
Song Hu sighed to the sky, never expecting that his lifelong reputation, having never even frowned on the battlefield, would now owe such a romantic debt.
Just as he was lamenting his excessive charm, a figure silently appeared behind him.
With a 'pat', a hand landed on his shoulder.
Shen Yulou's voice came.
"Old Song, someone from Wulin Kingdom has arrived."
Song Hu's face instantly changed, his mood becoming incredibly complex.
They're here?
So fast?
Then... what about Su Qian?