At first sight of He Hu, Mo Zi felt the man matched his name.

Eyes like bronze bells, a short nose and wide mouth, an oily yellow face, three deep wrinkles across his forehead with a scar forming the character for “king” vertically. Whether to emphasize his title or establish authority, he wore a tiger-skin vest with a thick iron club on his back like a tail.

Chapter Mu disembarked and whispered in He Hu’s ear.

He Hu glanced toward Mo Zi from time to time. The further along they went, the happier that tiger face became, his mouth unable to close.

Luo Ying whispered, “What a big beast! Waiting for the hunter to slaughter it.”

Mo Zi smiled with spring breezes filling her face, pretending to admire the scenery while turning her head to reply, “Left and right without leaving the mountain, precisely fearing people coming.”

At this moment, He Hu strode onto the gangplank. “Madam has traveled over mountains and rivers—the journey was arduous. The stronghold is crude, only this king’s small building is somewhat presentable. Please don’t disdain it, Madam.”

Stay in his building? And he calls himself “this king”? Mo Zi felt contempt in her heart but said aloud, “Tiger King’s generous hospitality is overwhelming. Mo Zi is deeply honored. However, my husband specifically instructed me before departure not to disturb Tiger King and his family. Moreover, this trip is for Tiger King’s son to form matrimonial ties with my sister. Until they bow to heaven and earth, we must maintain a young woman’s propriety and should not be together day and night. Now being wartime, we have no particular requirements for lodging. This boat has everything we need, and we won’t have to move things around. Consider it a temporary maiden home.”

These words carried far, reaching at least a thousand onlookers who now understood Mo Zi’s purpose and began whispering to each other.

He Hu, being of bandit origins, had never seen a beauty of Mo Zi’s extraordinary bearing. Having heard from Chapter Mu that the boat had forty beautiful maidservants, his heart itched. He’d wanted to take them to his own place where, once the door was closed, he could do as he pleased. Unexpectedly, Mo Zi had stated her purpose clearly before so many people, and every sentence was reasonable—he couldn’t force the issue.

“This king dares not neglect honored guests. I failed to think things through—Madam, please forgive me.” He Hu laughed it off. “Prime Minister Yuan gives such face, willing to form marriage ties with this king—I couldn’t ask for more. Might Madam allow this king to meet your sister?”

“Does Tiger King fear Mo Zi’s sister’s plain appearance won’t match the young master?” Mo Zi’s voice remained loud. She wanted everyone to know her purpose, thereby suppressing He Hu’s ulterior motives.

He Hu thought darkly, this woman may be beautiful, but her voice is deafeningly loud. Like Chapter Mu, he didn’t value women highly, so he wouldn’t realize Mo Zi was employing tactics.

“Madam jests. Since she’s to marry my son, she’ll be the young mistress of Tiger Stronghold in future. We at Tiger Stronghold are united as one, all good brothers who live and die together. Those outside customs about men and women not having physical contact aren’t so strictly observed here. Let everyone recognize her face and remember her appearance to avoid accidentally offending her later.” He used such a populist excuse.

Mo Zi suddenly realized this He Hu did have some brains and eloquence. She quietly put away her contempt and replied, “If that’s the case, meeting once won’t hurt.”

He Hu was about to enter the cabin when Mo Zi’s next words stopped him.

“Someone, set up a table on deck and serve tea.” After giving orders, Mo Zi said to Luo Ying, “Go invite Second Miss to come meet her future father-in-law.” Want to see beauties? Then everyone can look together!

He Hu couldn’t say anything more. He sat down before the brothers on shore and let Mo Zi invite him to drink tea.

Before long, Wu Youyan walked out with a group of maidservants, giving He Hu a slight curtsy. “This humble woman, surnamed Song, greets Tiger King.”

He Hu saw her wearing oversized autumn clothes in earth-yellow color, without embroidery or flowers, with wide sleeves, high collar, and upright neckline. Her dark hair was neatly combed back. She kept her eyes lowered and head bowed, her face showing inexperienced restraint. The group of maidservants behind her uniformly wore dark loose robes, expressionless, showing not the slightest trace of alluring charm in their movements. No wonder people say daughters of great households are tedious—empty appearances like stiff wood. He lost three parts of his interest and unenthusiastically grunted acknowledgment.

“Sister, present tea to your future father-in-law.” Mo Zi took in He Hu’s reaction completely.

He Hu stood up. “No need. This king still has military duties. I’ll drink the new daughter-in-law’s tea later.”

Mo Zi nodded to Wu Youyan, who immediately curtsied and returned to the cabin.

“When should the wedding date be set?” Mo Zi asked.

“Three days from now is an auspicious day. If Madam doesn’t mind it being somewhat hasty, let’s settle on that.” Although the daughter-in-law appeared conventional and proper, He Hu wouldn’t refuse the marriage alliance—he wasn’t losing anything either way.

The longest deadline within her own predictions—Mo Zi was quite satisfied. “Ah, by the way, where is the envoy my husband sent earlier staying? Can Tiger King arrange a meeting?”

He Hu’s face darkened. “This king previously treated Master Su as an honored guest in the stronghold, with good food and drink. Who knew he would speak flirtatiously to my daughter, and in full view of everyone too. This king had no choice but to imprison him and his attendants.”

Mo Zi was startled. Su Lan flirted with He Hu’s daughter?

She couldn’t immediately speak well of Su Lan and said tactfully, “Such a thing happened? Could there be some misunderstanding? If Tiger King doesn’t mind, may I see Master Su?”

He Hu thought for a moment. “What Madam requests, this king will naturally agree to. Actually, if young men aren’t romantic, their youth is wasted. Saying a few improper words upon seeing a pretty girl isn’t an unforgivable crime, but one should take responsibility. Madam values her reputation so much she won’t even stay in a fine house. This king’s daughter is also precious. If Master Su is willing to marry her, I’ll release him immediately without another word. When Madam sees him later, please help persuade him. If he changes his mind, three days from now there will be two happy occasions.”

This toad lusting after swan meat! Mo Zi smiled. “Tiger King speaks truly.”

He Hu left the boat. Chapter Mu asked lecherously, “Tiger King, isn’t Prime Minister Yuan’s wife’s sister a heavenly beauty?”

He Hu wasn’t very enthusiastic. “Her appearance is first-rate, but her sister spoke so loudly the whole mountain heard. Can I take my son’s woman? As for those maidservants, I think they’re just ordinary. Reward them to you fellows to enjoy later.”

Chapter Mu, having gained benefits himself, didn’t forget to do wicked things. “Prime Minister Yuan’s wife is somewhat different. Does Tiger King have any intentions?”

“Only she suits my taste, but that Yuan Zhizhou—” A year ago, that man was Nande’s power second only to the emperor, with overwhelming influence. A year later, people praised him as a loyal minister framed by treacherous officials like Grand Preceptor Wu. The Righteous Yuan Army had clearly become the strongest resistance force and was still continuously expanding. Though He Hu was lustful, touching Yuan Cheng’s wife required careful consideration.

“Why should Tiger King fear him? However formidable he was before, now he’s just a rebel, not even as good as us. When the court’s amnesty decree comes down, we’ll be officials and he’ll be a bandit. Then, joining with the court’s army to eliminate his rabble will be as easy as flipping a hand.” Chapter Mu sneered coldly.

So the Nande court was offering amnesty to He Hu and others, with conditions like being enfeoffed as princes, and they’d already decided to surrender. Recently they’d been maintaining a truce with government troops in the two provinces, waiting for the emperor’s decree. Chapter Mu’s trip to Yang City was also a scheme—using Su Lan as bait to see if they could lure the prey into the trap. Though they ultimately didn’t draw out Yuan Cheng, bringing back his wife was also satisfactory.

“Tiger King, that Yuan fellow is doomed. Won’t this beautiful woman become yours? Better strike while the iron is hot—I say let’s turn double happiness into triple happiness. In three days, those people on the boat—” Chapter Mu clenched his five fingers, his eyes vicious.

The more He Hu thought about it, the more sense it made. His heart bloomed with delight as he laughed in agreement.

Why three days? Because although they’d accepted amnesty, many people were still in the dark and needed time to be persuaded or purged.

“Has the Second Leader returned?” When Chapter Mu asked, a trace of killing intent showed in his eyes.

“He’s back.” He Hu’s face also darkened. “Just as you predicted, he refused to submit to the court. Fortunately, I administered the strongest knockout drug beforehand. Otherwise, if he went out and shouted, we’d be finished.”

“Where is he?” Chapter Mu visibly relaxed.

“Locked in the prison. Once you returned, I’d find some excuse to kill him.” He Hu patted Chapter Mu’s shoulder. “From now on, you’re the Second Leader.”

“Thank you, Tiger King, for the promotion.” Chapter Mu’s joy continued today.

As for Mo Zi, she only brought Zan Jin and Ding Gou to the prison to visit Su Lan. The so-called prison was just a circular tent with sturdy wooden stakes driven in a circle to prevent escape, with iron bars inside dividing it into two cells. Su Lan’s side had eleven people squeezed together, the other side held only one person.

Mo Zi glanced at that person—dressed in white clothes that weren’t disheveled, hair loose, lying facing the wall. This person maintained such a leisurely bearing even in prison, which made her somewhat curious. But she had no time to pay more attention to a stranger and greeted her own people sitting together in a circle.

“Master Su.”

Su Lan turned around, quickly stepped to the iron bars, and said in surprise, “Miss Mo Zi.”

“I heard Master Su flirted with an innocent woman?” Mo Zi smiled.

An attendant behind Su Lan said indignantly, “He Hu is talking nonsense! It was clearly his ugly and brutish daughter who took a fancy to the young master. When he wouldn’t marry her, she falsely accused him of flirting with her.”

So that’s how it was. Mo Zi was in the mood to joke. “Master Su is a talented figure who looks romantic and unrestrained. No wonder He Hu’s daughter fell at your feet.”

Su Lan smiled bitterly. “Miss, please don’t add fuel to the fire. Su has caused everyone to suffer this prison calamity yet cannot escape—I’m extremely ashamed.”

Mo Zi became serious. “He Hu bullies people with his power—why should Master Su feel ashamed?”

“How did Miss come to this dangerous place?” Su Lan asked urgently.

“To escort a bride.” Only after everyone’s expressions changed did Mo Zi add, “Yuan Cheng wants to unite with He Hu and form a marriage alliance to win him over. However, I see He Hu doesn’t seem very enthusiastic.”

“Miss Mo Zi, regardless of which family’s daughter is chosen for marriage, you must absolutely abandon this idea.” Su Lan said urgently. “If He Hu agrees to unite, he absolutely cannot be trusted. I’ve learned he’s accepted amnesty from the Nande court and will join forces with government troops to deal with other rebel armies. This place is closest to the Righteous Yuan Army—I’m afraid they’ll target Prime Minister Yuan first.”

“No wonder.” Though suddenly learning this news, Mo Zi remained calm. “If He Hu wants to surrender, what about the others? Not everyone in Tiger Stronghold is his man.”

“Though He Hu is stupid, he’s always been capable at sneaky deeds. For now, aside from his confidants, the news hasn’t leaked out.”

The voice came from behind. Mo Zi turned her head and saw the person who’d been lying facing the wall was now sitting cross-legged facing her.

“It’s you?!” She let out a derisive laugh.

If the mountain doesn’t turn, the water turns!