Hearing this outcome, Zheng Fan suddenly felt a bit melancholy.
Humans are all creatures of double standards; absolutely rational thinking does not exist. For him, whether it concerned the Barbarians or Yan State, he felt no sense of belonging, nor did he attempt to view issues from their perspectives. Considering himself alone: he had invited the scruffy man to dine, and the scruffy man had carried the carriage while running, smashing it to pieces. Then, he had collaborated with Zheng Fan on a ruse, building a ladder to heaven for him before his death. It’s only natural to develop positive feelings for someone who treats you well.
But now... he was dead.
His own unconsciousness had caused him to miss witnessing the man’s final brilliance. This was certainly a regret, but perhaps it could also be considered a form of luck?
"Since you are awake, I can now rest easy."
Zheng Fan finally disengaged from his emotions, his gaze locking onto his newly chosen blue-chip stock, this Sixth Prince.
Seeing Zheng Fan constantly staring at him, the Sixth Prince subconsciously touched his face and asked curiously, "Is there something on my face?"
Zheng Fan shook his head.
The Sixth Prince’s face was very pale, as pale as A Ming’s. But A Ming’s pallor was natural because he was a vampire. This Sixth Prince, however, clearly looked like a man whose vitality had been sapped by wine and women.
"The Princess has arrived!"
"Tsk, my good sister-in-law has come," the Sixth Prince muttered.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Fan immediately tried to rise. His abdominal wound still throbbed with pain, but he couldn’t be bothered with it now.
He wasn’t a woman. If he were, the Sixth Prince might have held him back, saying, ’It’s alright, Sister-in-law is here. We’re family, no need for formalities, especially with your injuries.’ But he was a man, a military man at that. So, the Sixth Prince said nothing, merely facing the doorway.
Soon, a woman wearing a purple long dress walked in.
At that moment, a jaw-dropping scene occurred.
The Sixth Prince actually took a sidestep and knelt before the Princess.
"Ji Chengjue greets his elder sister."
A prince, kneeling in obeisance!
Zheng Fan’s heart jolted. Looking at the Sixth Prince’s back, a chill crept over him. His instincts screamed that beneath this prince’s gentle exterior lay a terrifying wolf! Fortunately, the only people in the room were Zheng Fan and the Princess’s elderly, loofah-faced Seventh Uncle. No other servants were present, so not many witnessed this spectacle.
"Chengjue, are you trying to saddle my household with more crimes? Intending to add the charge of flagrant disrespect and arrogance?" The Princess’s voice was very pleasant.
"How would I dare? Isn’t it proper for a younger brother to greet his elder sister? When we were children, Sister, you even took me horse riding. You were practically half a master to me. Who would dare make an issue of this?"
"Alright. Are you unharmed?"
"Thanks to your blessings, Sister, this younger brother is fine."
At this point, the Princess’s gaze shifted from the Sixth Prince and landed on Zheng Fan.
Because the Sixth Prince’s sudden kneeling had disrupted Zheng Fan’s actions, he was still standing, not yet having knelt to pay respects.
As a result, their eyes met.
Back in the military tent, this woman had worn red armor. Zheng Fan had even found his mind idly wandering to what lay beneath it. Now, seeing her in person, she was wearing a skirt.
All he could say was that this woman possessed an Eastern grace and elegance in her demeanor, coupled with the tall, well-built frame typical of Northern women, in no way inferior to any foreign woman.
Suddenly, a look of profound meaning entered the Princess’s gaze.
Zheng Fan immediately dropped to one knee and said, "Zheng Fan, Colonel for Merchant Protection of the Northern Garrison Army, stationed in Zhubing City, greets the Princess!"
The Princess chuckled.
Zheng Fan lowered his head further. In his mind, he already saw the woman before him as an incarnation of Wu Zhao. She was definitely not the kind of girl who could be swayed by a love letter, a lollipop, or a few pieces of silver.
"Oh, so it was you who saved Chengjue? Zheng Colonel, I truly didn’t expect we would meet again so soon."
"Sister, you know him?" the Sixth Prince asked, smiling deferentially.
"During the last attack on the Shatuo Tribe, he was merely a civilian laborer. Yet, he managed to take more than ten heads on the battlefield, including that of the Shatuo Tribe’s chief. And in such a short time, he has now rescued His Highness the Sixth Prince. Zheng Colonel, tell me, how is it that all the good fortune seems to find its way to you?"
"This humble general only knows to fulfill his duty and harbors no desire to claim undue credit."
"Fulfilling your duty?"
The Princess stepped back.
The elderly swordsman behind her advanced three steps, stopping before Zheng Fan and reaching out with one hand. Chapters first released on noveⅼfire.net
Zheng Fan trembled slightly but managed to control his instincts and did not resist.
The old man’s eagle-talon-like fingers seized his shoulder. Instantly, a warm power surged through him, and Zheng Fan’s qi and blood began to roil uncontrollably as a black glow emanated from his body.
The old man released Zheng Fan, stepped back, and stated, "Ninth-Rank Martial Cultivator."
The Princess’s gaze sharpened slightly. "And last time?"
Seventh Uncle replied, "Last time, his body showed no fluctuations of qi and blood."
The Princess moved to the side and sat down on a chair, crossing her legs—a posture common among modern women watching television in their living rooms. Besides, Yan State did not place great emphasis on rigid etiquette, especially in the northern regions where women enjoyed more freedom. As she was the Princess, no one would dare criticize her deportment.
"Zheng Colonel, you truly are an eye-opener. Not only are you fortunate enough to achieve merit wherever you go, but you are also a prodigy in martial cultivation."