“Not surprised to see me at all?” Beneath disheveled hair was a face of striking heroic bearing, with slender willow-leaf eyes, attractive thin lips, and a nose bridge carved like stone—possessing both the refined elegance of Han people and the depth of features characteristic of nomadic tribes.
“What’s there to be surprised about? Your ships are just across the river. If someone told me He Hu was colluding with you, it would only confirm what it means to be birds of a feather.” Mo Zi’s acting skills had reached perfection by now, though inwardly, how could she not be astonished? Whether it was Duan Geshou as a person, or this location and timing of his appearance—all of it was beyond expectation.
“Is that so?” Duan Geshou’s voice was somewhat hoarse, his gaze darkly cold. “Yet I am quite surprised to see you. When I first met you, dressed as a man, you were the only one among everyone who stood up for a courtesan, extinguishing her will to live without batting an eye. The second time I saw you, you nearly became my king’s consort, yet vanished into thin air right under my nose. The third time I see you, you’re in this den of bandits, surrounded by fifteen thousand people, with a lustful tiger coveting you and evil wolves encircling you, yet you can still converse and laugh with ease. Song Mo Zi, no wonder my king cannot forget you, his heart dwelling on you even upon his sickbed.”
“Upon his sickbed?” Mo Zi raised an eyebrow. “Did I anger him into unconsciousness?”
“Rather than anger, it’s more accurate to say pain. How can one casually cough up heart’s blood?” Duan Geshou stared at her intently. “War between Daqiu and Great Zhou is about to erupt at any moment—who would have thought it all stems from a single woman?”
Mo Zi laughed lightly. “I detest men without accountability the most. If you have ambition, then have ambition; if you want war, then wage war. Why make excuses to cover it up, especially that kind that uses women as shields?
What do you mean ‘stems from a single woman’? Without me, Daqiu wouldn’t want to unify the realm? Without me, Yuling wouldn’t have fallen? Is admitting your true intentions so shameful? If you dare not admit it, why start a war? Self-contradictory—laughable and pitiful. Heart’s blood? Fine then, let him learn his lesson well.”
“They say women are more ruthless than men.” Duan Geshou’s lips curved slightly. “I heard that initially you and the king were deeply in love, that even the late king couldn’t prevent you two from pledging yourselves to each other. Now the king remains devoted and unable to forget you, yet you’ve already become indifferent and heartless.”
“I didn’t know that General Duan, who has always been harsh toward women, would sigh with melancholy over someone else’s past. Rather than meddling in others’ affairs, why not explain how you ended up imprisoned?” It didn’t seem like he was colluding with He Hu.
“Miss Mo Zi, he’s the second-in-command of Tiger Stronghold. Who would have thought he’d actually be Daqiu nobility.” Su Lan knew Duan Ge’s surname and was extremely shocked.
“What?” Mo Zi thought she had misheard.
“I am the second-in-command of Tiger Stronghold.” Duan Geshou seemed to enjoy her astonishment. “Beyond your expectations, isn’t it?”
Mo Zi exercised her imagination. “Did you fail to keep watch over me last time and chase in the wrong direction, so Wu Yan stripped you of your position? Or did that half-Han bloodline cause you to be ostracized by your family, leading you to flee to Nande and become a bandit?”
Duan Geshou narrowed his eyes but smiled. “You very much want to see me suffer misfortune.”
“I have no grievances or enmity with you, so why would I take pleasure in your misfortune? I’m merely speculating. It’s just that your identity as second-in-command is truly bewildering, arousing my curiosity.” What circumstances could have led to Duan Geshou becoming He Hu’s subordinate?
“I’m also very curious—what brings you to Tiger Stronghold? You serve as a female official in Great Zhou and were even granted a marriage by the Great Zhou Emperor. I heard the wedding is scheduled for year’s end—you should be preparing your dowry. Because of this news, the king flew into an uncontrollable rage. Four hundred thousand troops are massed at the northern border, and he’s already sent an envoy—if you’re not handed over, he’ll attack the city immediately.” Yet unexpectedly, the person in question isn’t in Great Zhou at all.
Mo Zi didn’t answer his question, only saying, “Duan Geshou, He Hu doesn’t know your identity, does he?” If He Hu knew, he couldn’t possibly rank second.
Duan Geshou didn’t answer either, instead asking, “Does He Hu know your identity? Your identity as Daqiu’s prospective empress. Your identity as Great Zhou’s prospective princess consort.”
“It seems he doesn’t know.” Mo Zi gave a light snort. “When views differ, even half a sentence is too much. You and I can be considered meeting on a narrow path, but I don’t intend to expose you before He Hu. You can slowly rot at the bottom of this cell.”
She turned to Su Lan and said, “I’ll help you agree to marry He Hu’s daughter. The ceremony will be held together with his son’s wedding in three days. I’ll strive to have you released before nightfall. We’ll discuss other matters later. Please remain calm.”
Su Lan nodded.
Mo Zi was about to leave.
“Song Mo Zi.” Duan Geshou called to her.
She stopped but didn’t turn around. “Does General Duan have something else to say?”
“Let me make a deal with you.” She didn’t move, so he did.
“When did General Duan change careers to become a merchant?” A deal? Mo Zi lowered her eyes and pressed her lips together, nearly turning back to say she’d anticipated this all along.
“Include me when you leave in three days.” To gain He Hu’s trust, Duan Geshou had infiltrated Tiger Stronghold alone. He had cultivated some trusted allies, but during his absence, He Hu had transferred them out of the mountain.
Mo Zi clasped her hands behind her back and turned to look at him. “If you want me to help you escape, just ask directly. Why beat around the bush talking about deals?”
“Ask you?” Duan Geshou’s pride reached the heavens. “Why would I ask you? If you don’t agree, I can still ensure none of you people escape. The deal is simple—you help me, I help you. Otherwise, we’ll all become souls under He Hu’s blade together.”
“If you want to expose me, you should also consider whether I have any leverage over you. Though He Hu has secretly surrendered to the Nande court, he’s ultimately a Nande person. Accepting amnesty would be called loyalty and devotion to his country. But even if you can offer him benefits, you’d only burden him with the name of traitor. If I tell He Hu your identity, do you think he’ll become the ill-fated scapegoat for Daqiu’s invasion of Nande, or will he kill you to prove his willingness to serve the Nande Emperor?” Through their exchange, Mo Zi had already understood Duan Geshou’s purpose in accepting the position of second-in-command.
Daqiu’s hand had indeed reached into Nande, but when this began, and whether they had instigated the riot in Zicao County, she didn’t yet know.
If they truly were using internal chaos to achieve their scheme of destroying Nande, Wu Yan was indeed a person with the capability to dominate the realm, even though his ministers and his country weren’t yet prepared.
“As for those two identities you mentioned—prospective empress, prospective princess consort—the ‘prospective’ means ‘not yet’; and since I’m neither in Daqiu nor in Great Zhou, it’s all past tense. Furthermore, He Hu is about to pledge allegiance, so whoever I am doesn’t concern him. Because he will definitely act against me—either to claim credit with me, or use me as bait, or keep me for himself. From what I see, this isn’t a fair deal. It clearly only benefits you.” Mo Zi shook her finger. “One chance—offer some other benefit, and I’ll reconsider.”
Duan Geshou studied her. Did this woman fear nothing? Twice now, he’d seen her surrounded by deadly threats, yet she could still smile while controlling everything.
His thin lips curved upward as he refused to show weakness. “Since you’ve already thought it through for me, why not tell me what you have in mind?”
“Promise me one thing, and I’ll take you along when I leave.” Mo Zi thought to herself that Duan Geshou was formidable.
“Please speak.” Duan Geshou appreciated her straightforward trading method.
Mo Zi stepped before the iron bars, beckoning him closer, and whispered some words.
After listening, Duan Geshou crossed his arms and stepped back. “Why would you do this? Any woman in the world, if blessed with such good fortune as yours, would not easily give it up.”
“You’re a man—don’t make decisions for all the women in the world. Will you help or not? You have three days to consider.” Mo Zi smiled.
Zan Jin lifted the tent flap, saying the guards were starting to complain—silver no longer had any effect.
“No need for three days. I’ll answer you now—I agree to your request.” He wasn’t losing anything; in fact, she could even be said to have pointed out a bright path for him.
“Honestly speaking, my first impression of you was extremely poor.” Mo Zi walked outward. “But now I’ve discovered you’re at least not stupid.”
Duan Geshou understood she was referring to Mo Chou’s death. That day, Mo Chou’s accusations had made him seem cruel and barbaric, but the hidden circumstances weren’t worth explaining to others. He opened his mouth, then self-mockingly tugged at the corner of his lips, lay back down, and faced the wall.
After Mo Zi conveyed Su Lan’s willingness regarding the marriage, He Hu was overjoyed and immediately released them as agreed. Of course, he wasn’t foolish either—though he released them, using protection as an excuse, he assigned several hundred men to stand guard at the ship in shifts. Meanwhile, five or six boats blocked the only access to the bay, preventing escape.
Mo Zi wasn’t anxious, but neither did she take things lightly. The news of He Hu accepting amnesty had already been passed along by Fei Xia. She dispatched skilled fighters like Zan Jin, Luo Ying, and Qiu Shuang to observe movements throughout Tiger Stronghold and spread seeds to shake people’s hearts. She also discussed plans for the wedding day with Su Lan, Ding Gou, and the others.
On this day, auspicious for marriages and unions.
Zhang Mu arrived early, claiming to see if there was anything he could help with, but his shifty eyes roved brazenly over the maidservants—already selecting concubines for himself.
Mo Zi remained composed, serving him tea and refreshments, and even gave him a large red envelope.
Two flower sedan chairs arrived—
Someone might ask: why two flower sedan chairs? Wu Youyan was being married into the He family, so surely Su Lan wouldn’t also ride in a sedan chair?
That’s right—He Hu’s daughter was a domineering woman who clearly stated she would only accept a live-in son-in-law and wouldn’t marry out. She had also ingeniously conceived the idea of using a flower sedan chair to fetch the groom. As a result, Su Lan helplessly sat into the flower sedan chair amid everyone’s looks of both amusement and sympathy. His sedan chair and Wu Youyan’s went one after the other toward the He family’s buildings halfway up the mountain.
The wedding process needn’t be described in detail. In any case, both couples smoothly completed the ceremonial bows, and both brides entered their bridal chambers. Fortunately, on this point, He Hu’s daughter still respected social norms—she didn’t make the groom wait in the bridal chamber while she received guests and handled social duties.
Mo Zi, as a member of the bride’s family, didn’t enter the He household that day, but He Hu specially sent twenty jars of fine wine and opened several tables exclusively for them below the ship.
The wine was drugged, and so were the dishes. Not poison, but sleeping drugs—not in heavy doses, but enough to make one drowsy after drinking and eating too much. Not wanting to disappoint He Hu’s “good intentions,” Mo Zi led Zan Jin, Ding Gou, and everyone in clearing the banquet, then returned to the cabins to sleep.
The firecracker sounds ceased. Dogs barked once or twice. A row of torches suddenly appeared racing along the mountain path, then boarded Mo Zi’s ship.
In the firelight, He Hu’s face was red from drinking, his eyes glazed yet smiling in a sickeningly sinister way. He asked Zhang Mu, who was responsible for monitoring Mo Zi and her group, “Have they all collapsed?”
“I just went in to check—their snoring could lift the cabin roof.” Zhang Mu also smiled sickeningly. “Madam Song is resting alone in a small cabin. Tiger King, please enjoy the beauty’s favor without worry.”
He Hu then stumbled and swayed toward the small cabin.
Whoosh—a gust of wind stretched the flames longer, licking at Zhang Mu’s face. He immediately felt the burning heat and jumped with a yelp. Somehow, his heart felt uneasy.