Li Mu’s final congratulatory gift of the pipa performance finally made King Hou decide to form an alliance and jointly oppose the Western Jin Xianbei.

This news quickly spread among the Hou family retainers and Qiu Chi nobles waiting outside.

For a time, everyone discussed it extensively.

Hou Li left with laughter reaching the sky.

Gan Qi watched his retreating figure disappear, glanced at Hou Jian, saw his defeated expression like someone in mourning, and made an eye signal to him.

The two quietly left one after the other amid the surrounding crowd’s discussions.

Hou Li returned to the great hall, personally carrying the pipa that Jiang Tao had given him, now restored to its case. He strode inside and knelt before Hou Ding.

“Your son knows Father King’s deep affection for Mother. Knowing that Han people often master music theory, I specifically requested Governor Li to find someone to repair the pipa to celebrate Father King’s birthday. Because it was for birthday congratulations, I didn’t inform Father King beforehand—please forgive your son’s presumption.”

“The pipa has been repaired. The piece just played used this very instrument. Please examine it, Father King.”

With that, he raised the case above his head.

Hou Ding took the case, opened it, and gazed at the barbarian pipa inside with its ancient wood grain still bearing water-stain marks from soaking. After a long moment, he said: “You may rise.”

He turned to Li Mu, who had been watching silently throughout, his face showing emotion.

“Gu Huilong subjected me to extraordinary shame and humiliation years ago, yet I could only swallow my anger and endure. Whenever I think of past events, it’s like a knife through my heart. Meeting you today is Heaven’s gift of a chance for revenge. My mind is made up—I will assist you with all my strength.”

He carefully took out the pipa, plucked a string, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them.

“This relic of my late wife—I’ve always wanted to restore it these years and return it to her, but by some twist of fate, I was never able to fulfill this wish. I never expected that today Governor Li would help me fulfill this desire.”

“Just now, hearing that pipa piece was like hearing my late wife’s music again. I wonder who repaired the pipa and who played that melody?”

Jiang Tao quickly glanced at Li Mu, hurried forward about to speak, but Hou Li had already said: “Father King, the same person both repaired and played it. Chief Clerk Jiang said it was a musician that Governor Li acquired. To repair the pipa in time for tonight’s birthday banquet, that musician traveled through the night and arrived before dawn today. I sent people to escort him into the city. His skills are remarkable—he repaired the pipa in one day and then offered a congratulatory piece for Father King.”

“I wish to meet him and express my thanks personally,” Hou Ding said.

Li Mu stared at Jiang Tao.

Jiang Tao’s back was already soaked with sweat.

When convinced by the lady and, after hesitation, finally arranging to bring her here behind Li Mu’s back, Jiang Tao had already anticipated such a scene might occur.

Things had reached this point—he could only steel himself and invite the lady out.

Fortunately, he had prepared beforehand.

He withdrew.

Moments later, accompanied by footsteps, Li Mu saw Jiang Tao bring in a young person.

The youth was thin and frail, wearing a small flat cap and common cloth clothes, but with extraordinarily beautiful features. His eyes and brows were one in ten thousand—exquisite as if painted.

He followed Jiang Tao inside, stood before everyone, lowered his eyes, neither speaking nor bowing.

Even when Li Mu stared at him, he seemed completely unaware.

His eyes only looked at a patch of ground at his feet.

Hou Ding hadn’t expected that the one who repaired his pipa and used his late wife’s instrument to play such a melody, stirring up such emotions in him, was this thin youth who appeared no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. He was quite surprised: “Really him?”

Jiang Tao quickly nodded: “Indeed. But he was born mute, cannot speak, and being devoted to studying music theory, doesn’t understand etiquette. Please forgive this.”

As he spoke, from the corner of his eye he saw Li Mu staring intently with a strange expression that even he, after years of friendship, couldn’t tell whether showed joy or anger.

Hot sweat broke out on his back in another layer.

Hou Ding couldn’t help shaking his head, repeatedly expressing regret, and commanded Hou Li to bestow rewards on his behalf.

Though Hou Li had known early on that the musician had been brought, and had sent people to escort him, only now did he actually see the person.

For a moment, he was stunned.

He had always only favored women, but somehow, the first sight of this young musician immediately captured his gaze.

He had been staring at him continuously, and suddenly hearing his father’s instruction was exactly what he wanted, so he immediately nodded.

Seeing this, Li Mu’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He said to Jiang Tao: “Enough. Take him to the post house and let him rest!”

Jiang Tao wiped his sweat and agreed.

Luoshen finally raised her eyelids, glanced at Li Mu, turned around and left the great hall with Jiang Tao.

Yesterday morning, as soon as he left through the front gate, she immediately went out the back gate, protected by people Jiang Tao had arranged beforehand, rushing ahead to take the road to Qiu Chi.

To gain more time to repair the pipa, that very night, while Li Mu’s group camped for the night, she traveled through darkness, finally reaching Fang City this morning and being escorted inside. As soon as the pipa was in her hands, she immediately began tuning.

She worked with complete focus all day, not even having time to eat, finally replacing the strings and restoring the pitch perfectly.

As for that piece, she had conceived it on the road and added improvisations on the spot. Already quite satisfied with it herself, achieving such an effect was icing on the cake.

Seeing Jiang Tao’s sweat-soaked back with his clothes sticking to him, as soon as they were outside, she comforted him: “Second Brother Jiang, don’t worry. I was the one who sought you out originally. I’ll explain everything clearly to him. If there’s blame, blame me—I was the one who asked for your help.”

Though Jiang Tao knew Li Mu didn’t allow her to come along, when she found him, he still agreed to help.

He considered more the need to ensure smooth achievement of this mission’s purpose.

This was a matter of utmost importance.

Regarding her safety, he indeed hadn’t considered it as thoroughly as Li Mu had.

In his original conception, if Hou Ding could agree to remain neutral when Li Mu fought Western Jin in the future, not attacking Yi Cheng and ensuring rear stability, that would already be a satisfactory result.

The outcome exceeded expectations greatly.

Hou Ding not only agreed to alliance but promised full assistance.

Her pipa performance deserved great credit.

Seeing her comfort him first upon emerging and wanting to take responsibility for him, he felt both surprised and more guilty. He hurried to say: “Madam risked danger to assist the great cause—I admire you greatly. Not only may Governor Li not necessarily blame us, but even if he truly does, it should be I who bears it. What fault does Madam have? Madam must be tired—let me first escort you to the post house to rest.”

Luoshen smiled and nodded.

…

Hou Ding summoned his ministers and nobles again, personally announcing his decision to ally with Li Mu and jointly oppose the Western Jin Xianbei. He also commanded a new banquet to be arranged in celebration.

This banquet was immeasurably more lively than the previous one.

Everyone toasted Li Mu repeatedly in a heated atmosphere.

Amid the cups and dishes, Li Mu conversed cheerfully, drinking cup after cup, but was actually absent-minded throughout.

He finally understood why her attitude had suddenly changed that morning when he departed, being so attentive to him.

She had already persuaded Jiang Tao and, concealing it from him, pulled off a secret maneuver.

Before his eyes appeared the scene of her disguised as a mute youth, standing prettily before him.

Whether it was the wine in his belly causing trouble or something else, a surge of irrepressible burning desire suddenly arose from deep in his lower abdomen.

He wished he could immediately rise and leave, return to capture her and interrogate her thoroughly, to see what kind of heart she possessed to ignore him and be so audaciously bold.

Li Mu smiled at people, finally enduring until the banquet’s end when Hou Ding, greatly intoxicated, was helped away.

The other Qiu Chi ministers also left drunkenly, supporting each other.

Hou Li escorted him out. Li Mu instructed him to have people watch Gan Qi’s movements.

Hou Li nodded, saying he would be on guard.

Li Mu took his leave, mounted his horse to depart, but heard Hou Li call to him again, so he stopped his horse and looked back.

Hou Li came before his horse and said: “Governor Li, I was immediately drawn to that young musician tonight and admire his superior musical skills. I happen to lack such a person here. I wonder where you acquired him? Could you leave him behind?”

Seeing Li Mu’s silence, he hurried to add: “If Governor Li is willing, I’m prepared to pay a thousand gold.”

Li Mu stared at him: “He’s already mine. Do you think I’d give him up?”

Hou Li was stunned. He hadn’t expected that he had already claimed the youth. Hastily apologizing, he bowed: “I was presumptuous! I’ll never have such presumptuous thoughts again. Please don’t blame me, Governor Li.”

Li Mu left Hou Li behind and spurred his horse away.

…

Luoshen was escorted by Jiang Tao to the post house, entering Li Mu’s quarters.

Yesterday she had traveled in a carriage for a day and night, today she had concentrated on work all day. Not to mention that evening’s pipa piece, which had poured all her emotions into it, extremely taxing mentally—after finishing the piece, it was like fighting a battle. After settling down and eating something, as she gradually relaxed, Luoshen should have been very tired.

But she didn’t feel like sleeping at all.

Earlier, when she appeared with Jiang Tao, the way he stared at her made Luoshen’s hair stand on end all over.

That feeling hadn’t completely dissipated yet.

She felt unusually excited, somewhat proud.

Of course, there was also nervousness.

This should be the most daring and risky thing she had ever done in her life.

She knew he was very unhappy.

She also knew that when he returned, he definitely wouldn’t let her off easily.

She faintly hoped he would return soon, yet seemed somewhat afraid to face him.

Her heart kept going back and forth—how could there be any sleepiness?

…

Li Mu refused Hou Li, feeling increasingly agitated. The post house wasn’t far from the Hou residence, so he arrived quickly.

Jiang Tao hadn’t left yet, still guarding outside with his attendants. Suddenly seeing Li Mu return and striding toward his quarters, he hurried to meet him.

“Is she in the room?”

Li Mu stopped and asked.

Jiang Tao nodded.

“Jingchen, I’m truly sorry, I…”

Li Mu waved his hand, stopping his words before they began.

“I know you wholeheartedly wanted to help me succeed. But I think you also know one thing.”

“If the alliance failed, I could still fight. If I lose a city today, I can recapture it tomorrow. But if something happened to her, Second Brother Jiang, how could I face myself afterward?”

“Next time she acts on her own and seeks you out, regardless of the matter, I hope you won’t indulge her but will inform me instead.”

Having said this, he continued walking inside.

Jiang Tao watched the gradually departing figure ahead, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Relief, regret, and inevitably some surprise.

In Jiang Tao’s view, Li Mu’s marriage to the Gao family daughter certainly involved admiration. After all, heroes have always had difficulty resisting beautiful women. The Gao family daughter’s birth, appearance, and talents were rarely matched by women in the world.

But he truly hadn’t expected that the Gao family daughter held such an important position in Li Mu’s eyes.

Recalling his earlier words now, he couldn’t help feeling afraid.

Fortunately, as he said, all was well.

Otherwise, if something truly had gone wrong, he probably would have been too ashamed to face him again.

…

Li Mu pushed open the door and immediately saw a figure lying quietly by the bed.

He closed the door and slowly approached her, finally stopping before the bed.

The small cap was removed, but her long hair was still bound in a male style, and she wore the same clothes.

Curled up by the bed like this, she still appeared to be a youth.

She seemed to be sleeping deeply, motionless for a long time.

Li Mu stared at her sleeping face for a long while, then suddenly said: “Get up.”

Luoshen had earlier recognized his footsteps and, feeling nervous, simply lay on the bed pretending to sleep.

Unexpectedly, he saw through this, so she had to open her eyes and sit up.

Seeing Li Mu standing before the bed, looking down at her with an unpleasant expression, she spoke first: “Why are you looking at me like that? Didn’t I help you? If so, shouldn’t you thank me?”

Li Mu narrowed his eyes.

“I know you didn’t let me come because you were afraid I’d be in danger. But I told you I’m not afraid! Besides, I knew I could help you somehow, that’s why I wanted to come! Didn’t I actually help you?”

Luoshen didn’t give him a chance to speak, continuing to rush her words.

“To arrive early, I didn’t sleep all last night, traveling on the road. Today I was busy all day, didn’t even have time to eat. And look at my hands…”

She showed him her ten fingers, reddened from the pipa strings.

“There were no proper finger guards here, so I used bare hands. My fingertips are almost worn raw. Did I complain of pain?”

“And if you really repay kindness with ingratitude and won’t thank me, even scold me, go ahead and scold! I absolutely won’t talk back! But don’t blame Second Brother Jiang. I was the one who sought him out, asking for his help!”

Luoshen finished her rush of words in one breath, then waited for him to speak.

After waiting for a long time and seeing him still silent, but his gaze growing stranger and darker, not knowing what he was thinking, she gradually felt guilty under his stare. So she climbed up from the bed, stood even higher than him, lifted her chin and declared: “Anyway, I already did it! And nothing went wrong! What exactly do you mean by acting like this?”

Li Mu stared at her little red mouth constantly opening and closing before him, gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and with a thud, knelt on the bed with one knee, reached out and pulled the haughty Luoshen toward him.

Seeing his sudden change of expression, Luoshen was startled. With an “oh!” she was pulled down onto the pillow.

Her small mouth, opened in surprise, was like a blooming fragrant flower bud, attracting wild bees and butterflies wanting to explore the sweetness hidden within.

Li Mu used his heavy body to firmly press her down, stopping her struggles and resistance.

When she became obedient and quiet, he took her hand, grasped her fingers, and kissed each fingertip one by one.

After finishing one hand, he switched to the other.

Luoshen’s face quietly reddened. She pressed her lips together and withdrew her hands, not letting him kiss them.

His fingers then slowly moved to her mouth, caressing those two lips he had been staring at for so long.

At first she seemed startled by this sudden action, closing her eyes and letting his fingers caress her lips.

After a while, her long eyelashes trembled slightly. She slowly opened her eyes and actually extended her pink tongue tip, lightly licking his finger.

After licking, she seemed to feel embarrassed herself. Her face immediately reddened again, her lips closing tightly like startled clam meat, and she quickly closed her eyes again, not daring to look at him.

But Li Mu was completely driven to lose his reason by this sudden pure yet infinitely seductive inexperienced provocation.

The soft, slippery sensation left on his finger after being licked by her tongue tip caused a sudden intense tingling at the base of his spine.

His entire body actually shuddered.

The burning desire that had tormented him all evening suddenly erupted completely.

He couldn’t bear it anymore.

He kissed her hungrily and began undressing her.

The girl’s delicate body was wrapped in male clothing, with a belt at the waist tied very firmly, like a loyal guard protecting her.

Unable to untie it quickly, he impatiently pulled.

With a crisp sound of tearing fabric, the shirt was ripped.

Luoshen had never seen him so out of control.

Even long ago that night when she first did this man-woman thing with him, he hadn’t seemed as impatient as now.

He was like a wild wolf about to immediately tear her apart and swallow her whole.

Luoshen didn’t know why she had made that gesture earlier.

She just wanted to please him a little, thinking he would like it.

Thinking this, as if possessed, she had licked.

She hadn’t expected it would provoke such a reaction from him.

She was nervous, shy, and excited.

Deep in her heart, there was also a faint feeling of pride.

It hurt a little. She gasped in pain, bit down hard on his shoulder with her white teeth, then slowly released, panting coquettishly by his ear: “Are you still going to scold me? You were so fierce earlier…”

The man didn’t stop, nor did he speak.

Instead, he became even more fierce.

Scalding sweat dripped onto her jade-white breast.

Luoshen was overwhelmed by him, dazed and confused. Perhaps this moment was too good—gradually, the worries that had secretly troubled her these days seized her again. She began crying intermittently, her jade arms tightly embracing his neck, as if the next moment he would withdraw from her and leave.

She bit his ear, asking vaguely: “Langjun… you like me… don’t you…”

The man remained silent, not stopping, but captured her mouth, tenderly kissing her with his lips and tongue in answer.

Like a fish gasping for breath, when he released her mouth and she caught her breath, she closed her eyes again and pleaded softly by his ear.

“Langjun… I don’t want to leave… I want to stay and accompany you… but I can’t bear to make Father and Mother sad…”

“As for future matters, can we talk about them later… for now, could you please listen to Father’s words, yield to him a little, so he can feel at ease…”

“I can help you with things… I’ll also treat you very well… whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do… I’ll listen to you…”

Vague sweet words carried almost humble pleading and begging for mercy.

Even a heart of iron and stone would be moved.

But Luoshen felt the male body pressing on her gradually stop.

She opened her eyes and met his gaze.

He stared at her, his eyes still containing the dark and ardent color of desire.

But that color seemed to be slowly fading.

Suddenly seeming to awaken, Luoshen shrank beneath him.

Li Mu gazed at her flushed face streaked with tears, raised his hand to gently wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes, then slowly sat up from her body, turning his back to her as he sat on the bed’s edge.

Luoshen immediately followed, crawling up to embrace his waist tightly from behind, pressing her face against his sweat-covered back, pleading: “Langjun, I was just talking nonsense earlier. I don’t know how I said those words. Don’t take them seriously. I didn’t mean to pressure you…”

She crawled to his front, clinging to him tightly.

But Li Mu lifted her body, took clothes to wipe the sweat from her body, laid her down, and covered her with a quilt.

“A’Mi, the day before yesterday I went to see Gao Huan. He can already get out of bed. I imagine in a few days his injuries will be healed. When he recovers, you should return to Jiankang first. This place really isn’t suitable for you to stay.”

He paused.

“A’Mi, my feelings remain the same as before. If you’re willing to be with me, I hope you’ll wait for me another year.”

Luoshen looked at him as the flush on her cheeks gradually faded to pale.

“After a year, even if you capture the Western Capital, so what? Will Father let me be with you because of that?”

“I just want to stay now and be with you. I’m not afraid of hardship.”

“But you have such a cruel heart.”

She murmured.

“When little brother recovers, I’ll listen to you and return.”

She closed her eyes.