"Marquis Pingliang, you have traveled thousands of miles to support the dynasty in its time of crisis and rescue the common people from their suffering. Your loyalty and dedication have greatly pleased me," said Empress Dowager Murong Qing in the deep palace, her voice gentle as she looked at Yan Pingliang Marquis and General Jianzhong Zhou Fugui. "I have not misjudged you."
"Your Highness," Zhou Fugui replied, looking at Murong Qing. "Your words shame me. I have traveled thousands of miles to answer the call to arms because of the kindness you showed me in the past. As the saying goes, a drop of kindness deserves a flowing spring in return. I have indeed led my troops here to repay your great kindness; without you, there would be no me."
What Zhou Fugui said was true, but not entirely so.
While Zhou Fugui's return to the capital with the Xue Pi Army did carry an intent of repayment, it was also mixed with other motives. He sought to use this opportunity to strengthen himself and achieve his ultimate goals.
It now seemed that these goals might gradually be realized.
Of course, such thoughts and intentions could only be hidden deep within his heart, never to be revealed in the slightest. On the surface, he had to maintain an appearance of unwavering loyalty, ready to face any danger.
"Heh heh..." Murong Qing was pleased by his words. She stood up, walked to Zhou Fugui's side, and gently caressed his strong chest. "Your loyalty to me is your loyalty to the Great Yan. But are you truly devoted to me?"
"My loyal heart can be attested by heaven and earth!" Zhou Fugui straightened his chest and said loudly. "I come from humble beginnings, and was once a prisoner on the frontier. Without your grace, Your Highness, how could I be where I am today? As for your suspicions, and those of the court officials, is it because I am Han?"
Zhou Fugui felt a strong fragrance wafting towards him, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. However, he dared not evade it, nor could he show any hint of displeasure. He merely feigned indignation and moved slightly away from Murong Qing's proximity.
"Marquis Pingliang, do not be angered," Murong Qing said with a smile. "It is not that I do not trust you, but rather... never mind! Marquis Pingliang, are you willing to lead the army to continue suppressing the rebellion? If you pacify the realm for me, I will certainly not mistreat you. Once the realm is pacified, I will bestow upon you the titles of king and minister."
At this time, there were still many rebels and hidden dangers outside, such as the Changshan Army and the Qi Army.
"Your Highness..." Zhou Fugui replied, "I have said that I would go through fire and water, even to the point of my body being ground into dust, and I would not hesitate! However, Your Highness, I am willing to exchange all my titles and positions, and everything I possess, for one person. I beg Your Highness's permission."
Asking Zhou Fugui to lead the army against Murong Huiying's brother was a matter that caused him immense pain.
If Zhou Fugui won, the fate awaiting Murong Chi was not difficult to imagine, and Murong Huiying would surely hate Zhou Fugui to the bone. Zhou Fugui could not afford to lose either, for if he did, his carefully laid plans would be thwarted.
He could neither win nor lose, and at this moment, Zhou Fugui found himself in an extreme dilemma, his head aching terribly.
"Who is it?" Murong Qing asked indifferently.
"Princess Ziyue!" Zhou Fugui replied firmly and loudly. "She is merely a woman, and was far away on the frontier when the turmoil began. She has no connection to this matter! Your Highness, I implore you to spare her life and grant her to me."
Zhou Fugui harbored ambitions of empire, but compared to Murong Huiying, he would gladly give them up.
He could not stand by and watch a woman who cared for him so deeply die. Therefore, Zhou Fugui was willing to stake everything to save her life.
However, this matter could only be pleaded with Murong Qing; there was no other way.
As for other methods, such as coercion... Zhou Fugui was not so foolish as to pit his ten thousand troops against the entire Great Yan. To put it bluntly, if the Yan court cut off the Xue Pi Army's provisions, the entire army, from top to bottom, would be left with nothing.
Employing coercion would only be counterproductive and would endanger the lives of the soldiers of the Xue Pi Army and their families.
"How do you know she is in my hands?" Murong Qing asked.
"Your Highness's ears and eyes reach everywhere; it is not difficult to deduce," Zhou Fugui replied.
"Zhou Fugui!" Murong Qing said coldly. "Do you treat the official titles of the Great Yan as child's play? Do you treat the matter of the rebels as child's play? I originally thought that although you are young, you are a sensible person. I never expected you to be so reckless. Marquis Pingliang, what I have given you, I can also take back, and give you much more."
"Your Highness, please forgive my transgressions!" Zhou Fugui bowed and pleaded.
Murong Qing's stern tone would have terrified anyone else, making them lose their senses or dare not mention the matter.
The daughter of a "rebel" was someone others would wish to distance themselves from immediately, let alone dare to mention.
But Zhou Fugui not only dared to mention it, but his expression was exceptionally firm. Although he was asking for forgiveness, he was unyielding, willing to give up everything. This was all due to his ardent passion and profound love for Murong Huiying.
"You..." Zhou Fugui's stubborn demeanor made Murong Qing furious, wishing to arrest him immediately and confine him once more in Pijin City.
However, perhaps Murong Qing still needed Zhou Fugui's service, or perhaps Zhou Fugui's deep affection touched her. After a long pause, Murong Qing's expression softened, and she said, "We Xianbei people value loyalty and righteousness. To protect our women, we dare to abandon everything. You are not like a Han, but like one of our people."
"Your Highness..." Zhou Fugui seemed moved and said, "I see no distinction between Han and Xianbei. If one cannot protect his own woman, he is not worthy of being a man."
"Do you think I have agreed to your request?" Murong Qing asked coldly.
"Is Your Highness still unwilling to let her go? Do you still want the life of this poor woman?" Zhou Fugui stubbornly said, "Her family is already destroyed, and she is no longer a threat to you. Why are you still unwilling to let her go?"
"Presumptuous! Kneel!" Murong Qing's face darkened, and she reprimanded him.
"Your Highness!" Zhou Fugui, with no other recourse, knelt on one knee before Murong Qing.
"As a subject, how dare you be so insubordinate? Have you forgotten the rites of seniority and hierarchy?" Murong Qing stood before Zhou Fugui, looking down at him from her superior position, her gaze shifting slightly as she spoke coldly.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I dare not be insubordinate. These are my heartfelt words," Zhou Fugui stubbornly replied.
"Is this not insubordination?" Murong Qing said, tapping Zhou Fugui's forehead with her long fingernails. "There are many women in the world. With your power and status as Marquis Pingliang, what kind of woman can you not find? Why must you cling to the daughter of a traitor? As long as you are willing, palace maids, or even a princess of our Great Yan, you can choose!"
"Your Highness..." Zhou Fugui bowed his head heavily.
"Marquis Pingliang, focus your efforts on quelling the rebellion," Murong Qing interrupted coldly before Zhou Fugui could finish speaking.
...
"Fugui, although I am the head of the harem, there are some matters where I am helpless," Murong Qing said to Zhou Fugui suddenly as he left the deep palace. "Additionally, your mother, Lady Liu, and the others can reside comfortably in the capital and enjoy the exquisite mansion I have bestowed upon you."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace!" Zhou Fugui replied with a wry smile.
His mother and other relatives would apparently be hostages for life. Their lives would be as Murong Qing described, filled with luxury and wealth, but devoid of freedom. In this dead end, how could he find a way out? Zhou Fugui thought with inner turmoil.
...
"Right Virtuous King!" As Zhou Fugui exited the palace, he happened to encounter Murong Kang and promptly stepped aside to bow respectfully.
"Hmph!" Murong Kang coldly sized up the flushed Zhou Fugui with a glance, snorted, and walked away without a word.
You bastard, the whole family acts the same way. Do I owe you anything? Zhou Fugui cursed inwardly and then also walked away...
...
"Elder Sister..." Murong Kang entered the inner palace directly and called out to Murong Qing.
"Right Virtuous King, I have told you this is the palace, not home," Murong Qing said indifferently.
"Yes, Your Highness," Murong Kang stood at attention, extremely awkward.
Ever since Murong Yi ascended the throne and Murong Qing was honored as Empress Dowager, ever since Murong Qing had slightly stabilized the court, and ever since Zhou Fugui returned to the capital, Murong Kang felt that she had become increasingly cold towards him. Had she found a new love and forgotten the old?
"Right Virtuous King, why have you come to the palace?" Murong Qing subsequently asked.
"No... no... Your Highness, we must guard against that person," Murong Kang replied.
"Who?" Murong Qing, though she knew clearly who Murong Kang was referring to, feigned ignorance and asked, "Who?"
"Your Highness, those who are not of our kind will surely have different intentions..." Murong Kang replied.
"Right Virtuous King, the rebels are pressing hard. I hope you will prioritize the greater cause. Do not speak of these matters again," Murong Qing interrupted Murong Kang.
"Yes, Your Highness," Murong Kang's face reddened, much like Zhou Fugui's.
"Alas, Brother Kang, you are my kin, the closest to me besides Yi'er. Therefore, I have my plans, you can rest assured," Murong Qing then said softly.
"Elder Sister..." Murong Kang called out softly, looking at Murong Qing.
...
"Marquis, welcome home!"
"Marquis Wan...?"
Bu San and Bu Si, along with the rest of the army, had returned to Youzhou. Bu San and Bu Si had automatically assumed new identities as newly appointed nobles, the steward and vice-steward of the Marquis Pingliang's mansion. Seeing Zhou Fugui return, they led a group of household retainers outside the mansion gate and loudly announced their welcome.
Murong Qing had not only rewarded Zhou Fugui with a mansion but also bestowed upon him many servants, including gatekeepers, retainers, maids, cooks, and even singers and dancers. Zhou Fugui's new home immediately became lively and crowded.
Bu San and Bu Si proudly announced the welcome. Halfway through their announcement, they saw the Marquis and General Jianzhong Zhou Fugui with a look of displeasure and deep thought on his face, and they could not continue. Neither of them knew what had happened.