Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shitang Dafan Ayi: “Sigh. No matter which dimension it is, good people don’t always have happy endings.”
Laosiji Lianmeng: “I can’t believe what the Meng’s did to the loyal man. Still, I appreciate Meng Hun’s act. Loyalty should not be blind.”
Xiyan: “Host, can you help him? I feel so sorry for him.”
Liuyue Xiesandao: “Same here. Reality is not a fairytale, but I still hope he can get what he deserves.”
Jiang Pengji was equally “profoundly moved” by the military chief’s account. Her eyes widened. “How could that be?”
Meng Hun added, “Merchants in Meng County can account for my words. While the Meng’s and their army were blocking the news, I do believe in the courage of people for telling the truth. Even if they are too afraid to say it, you can ask about the reputation of the Meng’s in the region.”
Jiang Pengji was hesitant. Finally, she decided. “I sympathize with you, but the Meng house is one of the greatest in Dongqing––even our King can’t afford to provoke them, let alone me and my family! I mustn’t let you kill Meng Liang, or else we’ll all die at the hands of the house!”
Meng Hun listened with desperation.
She continued, “Still, I can let you go safely. You’ll leave Hejian tomorrow morning as soon as the town gate opens, and you’ll never return to kill Meng Liang. Will you promise me that? I’ll then pretend that nothing happened tonight.”
Her offer touched Meng Hun, who replied with a bitter smile. “Langjun, you are generous, yet credulous. Aren’t you worried about yourself?”
“Why should I be?” she asked.
Meng Hun exclaimed, “Don’t be deceived! Meng Liang never forgives, and he will remember every word I’ve said tonight! Langjun, you may pretend that nothing has happened, but what about him? When he returns home and tells a distorted story to his family, they will certainly blame the Liu’s instead of thanking you.” That was the most likely thing to happen, given Meng Liang’s traits.
As a result, Jiang Pengji struggled again. “No, he… he wouldn’t do that to me.”
“Are you sure?” His tone was certain.
Meng Liang was tense as he listened to the conversation. The people in front of him were determining his life, and he could neither run, fight, nor speak for himself.
He did not know why Liu Xi had left him, but he would surely be dead if the youngster was persuaded. He made noise to attract her attention.
“Hush!” A man noticed him and kicked his thigh as a warning. Meng Liang shrieked.
“Langjun, have you heard about the past conflicts between the Meng’s and your family? They would have erased the Liu’s were it not for your father’s discreteness and decisiveness.” Meng Hun would not let the naïve langjun release his captive, and he thus blurted out, “The Liu’s lady was once Meng Zhan’s wife!”
What? Jiang Pengji faked a natural, shocked expression and stumbled a step backwards. “Nonsense! How dare you attack my mother!”
Meng Hun swore to heaven. “If that’s a lie, I’ll be struck by bolts and tormented in hell!”
Jiang Pengji calmed herself down. “Why did you say that?”
Meng Hun was not the type to exaggerate, so he told her the plain facts. “If I’m not mistaken, your mother is from the Gu’s in Langye. She married Meng Zhan at a young age, but Meng Zhan suspected that she was disloyal. As a result, he and his concubine constantly abused the lady and her son. A few years after their divorce, the lady remarried Officer Liu.”
The remarriage upset Meng Zhan so much that, when Meng Hun had served the house as a guard, he often heard the drunken master cursing the lady.
“Meng Zhan has never forgiven the lady. Imagine what would happen if Meng Liang returned to Cang and accused the Liu’s for helping me against the Meng’s! Do you think they would spare your family?”
Unlike the common military, Meng Hun was more attentive and sensible.
He seemed to have convinced Jiang Pengji, who tiredly rubbed her forehead. “What should we do, then?”
Meng Hun tightened his lips and knelt down. He then bowed to her, his head knocking hard against the floor. “Meng Liang must die! There’s no reason for saving him. Please, I plead for your mercy on me!”
Jiang Pengji turned to one side to avoid his bow, and then gave him a hand to help him stand up. “Stand up straight like a man!”
Meng Hun’s companions wanted to help him up, too, but he rejected stubbornly.
“Ever since my wife and daughter left, vengeance has been my only drive for living. I must take that b*stard’s life today, even if that means I have to go to hell with him! Langjun, I know you are compassionate, and I won’t put you at risk… I beg you to let me kill Meng Liang! I will bear all the responsibility for his death!”
His entreaty roused Jiang Pengji’s empathy.
Before she replied, the man continued, “By that time, you may cut off my head for the Meng’s to prove the Liu’s innocence. The only thing I ask of is that you take care of these brothers of mine.”
When he finished, he again knocked his head on the floor. Jiang Pengji could feel the sounds echoing in her heart.
She had already calculated everything that he had said. Yet, when the scene unfolded in front of her, she was more touched than she imagined she would be––perhaps that was because of his sincerity.
“Stand up to speak to me!” she repeated, that time more seriously. “I must acknowledge the threat you mentioned. I can’t place my family at risk for the Meng’s revenge.”