Hearing this, Lu Heng whirled around sharply to see A’na Ri approaching with her hands behind her back. She wore a bright red narrow-sleeved long robe and a snow-white fur hat, her makeup vivid and striking. She walked with an arrogant bearing, the layered pearl ornaments on her chest swaying with her movement. She held a whip in her hand, the bright red tassel at its tip and the bells on her wrist all swaying, the bells making pleasant tinkling sounds.
Lu Heng suppressed his anger and bowed respectfully: “Khan.”
“I never expected that after this Khan confined that wench for two days, she would still have the ability to seduce you here. Don’t you know she’s just an empty beauty, a withered flower? That she could hook you with just a beckoning—don’t you feel it’s beneath your dignity? Do you only value her appearance?”
Lu Heng’s expression was cold and stern: “We in Great Zhou have a saying: ‘With flowers in the heart, flowers fill the eyes.’ When the Khan sees a man and woman exchange a few words and immediately assumes they’re engaging in improper conduct, interpreting it from the most malicious and filthy angle—why is that?”
“You!” A’na Ri was so angry her eyes narrowed as she said in a low voice: “Are you saying this Khan’s heart is filthy and malicious?”
Lu Heng didn’t answer, merely lifting the corner of his mouth coldly.
Even without answering, his mocking intent was already quite obvious.
A’na Ri’s face flushed red with anger. Just as she was about to curse angrily, Lu Heng once again spoke first.
Lu Heng’s voice was slow and gentle, yet each word cut like a knife: “Khan, you are an intelligent person and should know what the Tatar people need now. Did the Khan ascend to this position not to seek benefits for the people, but only to show off your own authority?”
“How dare you! What are you to speak to this Khan in such a manner!” A’na Ri was furious. “What my Tatar people need is for this Khan to decide! Do you mean that if you’re offended by words, the Tatar people won’t have good days? Surname Lu, don’t be too arrogant!”
The guards beside her all drew their blades and pointed them at Lu Heng.
Though Lu Heng knew some martial arts, it was limited to physical fitness. When it came to real combat with weapons, he would only be delivering himself to death. Moreover, given his status, he usually had guards around him—when had he ever been in such a passive situation?
The Tatar men were built tall and strong, their eyes glaring like copper bells, looking as if they wanted to devour his flesh alive.
With bright blades pointed at him and such menacing momentum from the opposition, it would be false to say Lu Heng’s heart wasn’t tight with tension.
But he showed no retreat whatsoever. Instead, he stepped forward, pressing his chest against the blade tip of the foremost guard. If he moved forward another inch, or if that guard’s hand trembled, it could very likely pierce through his chest.
Meeting Lu Heng’s eyes, the guard didn’t dare make a move.
Lu Heng said gravely to A’na Ri: “If you’re not afraid of ruining the Prince Consort’s affairs, the Khan may act as you please. However, I still have some words of advice for the Khan. Though power is held in the hands of those grasping the knife handle, people’s hearts are not the same. If the Khan always acts so tyrannically, drawing blades at the slightest provocation, I truly find it hard to imagine what Tatar’s future will become in the Khan’s hands.”
His eyes narrowed as he continued: “Why doesn’t the Khan learn more from the Prince Consort? The Prince Consort is not only accomplished in both literary and martial arts, but also kind-hearted and always keeps the people’s livelihood in mind. He would never act according to whim as the Khan does. Look at yourself now, then think of the Prince Consort’s actions. In comparison, aren’t you afraid of losing the people’s hearts?”
A’na Ri’s face turned even more purple with anger, and in her agitation, she even forgot the purpose of her visit.
Was Si Qin’s reputation among the people truly higher than hers?
She hadn’t obtained this throne easily, and A’na Ri still wanted to protect everything she possessed. But in Lu Heng’s words just now, how could they not be interpreted as suggesting the Prince Consort could replace her at any time?
No, no, no, that couldn’t be!
Si Qin wasn’t that kind of person!
They had grown up together since childhood—years of affection couldn’t be erased by an outsider’s single remark. Lu Heng was from Great Zhou; he clearly couldn’t stand their happiness and was saying this deliberately! His purpose was to sow discord between her and the Prince Consort!
A’na Ri took several deep breaths, gradually suppressing the fear in her heart.
But Lu Heng’s words had still planted a seed of doubt in her heart.
“This Khan is the ruler of a nation. How this Khan governs this country is my own affair—I don’t need instruction from a mere young master from a noble family!”
Lu Heng was skilled at reading expressions. Seeing A’na Ri’s look, he could already guess the general situation. With a slight smile, he said: “The Khan is naturally the ruler of the nation. No one can deny this fact. However, as ruler of a nation, please also pay attention to your own dignity. Don’t lose respect due to jealousy.”
Lu Heng casually brushed away the blade tip pointing at his chest.
Seeing that A’na Ri no longer had her earlier anger, the guards also put away their weapons accordingly.
Lu Heng then approached A’na Ri, bowed respectfully, and said: “Please think more about my earlier words, Khan. They will benefit you.”
Having said this, Lu Heng turned and left, as if completely unconcerned and unattached to this place.
A’na Ri watched Lu Heng’s retreating figure, her hand gripping the whip tightening again and again. Finally unable to contain her temper, she kicked the door of the side palace where Qin Yining was confined.
“Open the door for this Khan!”
The palace door was locked from outside. This kick caused the chain to clatter noisily, and combined with the sound of the wooden door being struck, it startled Qin Yining and the two accompanying old nannies inside.
Someone outside opened the door.
The two old nannies immediately stepped forward, bowing and placing hands on their chests to salute A’na Ri.
“Khan.”
A’na Ri looked at Qin Yining with fury, her red lips gradually pressing into a thin line. Without sparing Qin Yining an extra glance, she casually waved her hand, indicating everyone should withdraw.
Not daring to disobey, everyone naturally bowed and retreated.
Qin Yining frowned as she watched A’na Ri approaching her step by step, her hands behind her back gradually clenching into fists.
“What are the Khan’s instructions? Please speak directly.”
“You certainly have nerve.” A’na Ri looked Qin Yining up and down. She hadn’t expected that confining her would not only fail to grind away her sharp edges but actually make her appear more delicately graceful from weight loss.
A’na Ri sneered as she approached, using her whip to lift Qin Yining’s chin, forcing her to look at her, staring at her with blazing eyes.
“Qin woman, you truly are skilled at seducing men. Why don’t you teach this Khan as well?”
Qin Yining had long grown tired of A’na Ri’s constant resentful wife attitude: “The Khan repeatedly slanders me for no reason other than lacking confidence in holding your own man’s heart. You know clearly in your heart that there’s nothing between me and your country’s Khan. If you have suspicions, you should direct them at Si Qin! As fellow women, let me advise you: one should not harbor intentions to harm others, but one must guard against being harmed! The Khan is doing exactly the opposite!”
These words struck right to the heart, extremely piercing. A’na Ri was so angry her willow brows stood on end. She raised her hand and lashed Qin Yining with the whip: “What I can’t stand most is foxlike seductresses like you who seduce men and then self-righteously claim they haven’t seduced anyone! Women like you are simply the shame of all women in the world!”