"Is General Zhou a Han?"
Zong Jiuling, an eunuch of the Yan palace, led Zhou Fugui toward their destination. Riding on horseback, he turned his head to look at Zhou Fugui and asked curiously.
"This humble one is a prisoner of Xue Lin City and dares not claim the title of general." Zhou Fugui, also on horseback, bowed in reply. "My family has been farmers in Yan Yun for generations."
"Farmers in Yan Yun?" Zong Jiuling looked at Zhou Fugui with suspicion. "A prominent nose, fair skin, a thick beard, tall with long arms, would be Han?"
Generally speaking, people from the northern grasslands and the Han people in the south had distinct differences in appearance. Han people were usually not as tall as the Hu people, nor did they have as thick beards. Otherwise, the people of the northern grasslands would not be called Hu people, and there were other obvious differences.
"The dragon has nine sons: Qiuniu, Yazhi, Chaofeng, Polao, Suanni, Baxia, Bianhan, Fuxi, and Chiwen. They all have different shapes and preferences. How can Your Excellency generalize them all?" Zhou Fugui chuckled.
Half of the blood flowing in Zhou Fugui's veins was Han and half was Xiongnu, meaning half Hu. However, his appearance leaned more towards the Xiongnu. Zhou Fugui was certainly aware of this, but how could he reveal it to others? He could only try his best to conceal it.
"Heh heh, is that so? Then it is I who am ignorant?" Zhou Fugui's refined speech greatly increased Zong Jiuling's favor towards him. He nodded and smiled, "Wen Weng's deer dream, to study alone without friends!"
Palace eunuchs, when bored, enjoyed reading. Zong Jiuling considered himself the most talented among them and often liked to compose poetry and lyrics to show off his literary skills.
"Your Excellency is by the Emperor's side, how can you be ignorant? You must be well-traveled. It is a pity that this humble one will soon depart for Xue Lin City, otherwise, I would often seek Your Excellency's guidance." Zhou Fugui flattered him profusely.
"Haha..." Zhou Fugui's flattery pleased Zong Jiuling immensely, and he laughed heartily. "General Zhou is also no ordinary person. If... alas, going to Xue Lin City, it is likely you will not return to the capital for several years. However, General Zhou, we are fated to meet. I will give you a letter of introduction. When you go to Xue Lin City, no one will dare to bully you."
"Many thanks, Your Excellency!" Zhou Fugui feigned delight and cupped his hands in thanks.
Despite his outward show, Zhou Fugui felt somewhat unconvinced.
"General Zhou has exceptional martial arts skills, especially archery. And your Zhou family are farmers in Yan Yun. Where did you acquire such abilities?" Zong Jiuling asked after nodding.
"Uh... if I say I learned it all by myself, would you believe me?" Zhou Fugui thought for a moment and then vaguely replied, "The Yan Yun region is full of hidden talents. Skilled archers and riders are as common as the hairs on a cow. I met a hunter in the mountains and learned from him."
"Hmm...?" Zong Jiuling sounded somewhat unconvinced.
As they spoke, they arrived in front of a grand mansion. The house was sumptuously built, but it was not the imperial palace. Zhou Fugui asked in surprise, "Your Excellency, what place is this?"
"Follow me inside, and you will know," Zong Jiuling said with a slight smile.
...
"The Em... Empress... Highness?"
After many twists and turns, Zhou Fugui was led into a large side chamber. The furniture inside was made of rosewood, with intricately carved wooden ceilings and antique calligraphy and paintings adorning the room. Two purple veils divided the room in half. Inside the veils lay a huge, luxurious Persian carpet, upon which Empress Murong Qing of the Great Yan rested languidly.
Zhou Fugui was greatly astonished and even forgot to bow.
Zong Jiuling winked at Zhou Fugui, signaling him to quickly perform the禮 (lǐ - ritual).
Murong Qing smiled slightly and waved her hand. Zong Jiuling bowed and withdrew.
"Your humble subject Zhou Fugui pays respects to Her Highness the Empress." Zhou Fugui, realizing he had been impolite, flushed slightly and bowed.
Murong Qing reclined languidly on the luxurious Persian carpet. A milky white cashmere robe tightly wrapped her voluptuous figure, accentuating her slender waist and her full, high breasts. The robe was slit at the hem, revealing two slender, snow-white calves crossed like clean white lotus roots. Her eyes, like clear autumn pools, were half-closed, captivating and alluring. She held a green glazed wine goblet filled with half a cup of wine, which illuminated her fair, jade-like face with two rosy clouds. Her slightly trembling red lips were seductive and enchanting.
Compared to Murong Huiying, Murong Qing was characterized by two words: one was "seductive," and the other was "mature."
After Zhou Fugui entered the room, he stared blankly at Murong Qing, making even the eunuch Zong Jiuling blush for him.
"You are excused. Please sit," Murong Qing said with a smile.
"Thank you, Her Highness!"
In this world, "sitting" mostly meant kneeling on the ground. Thus, Zhou Fugui knelt before the luxurious Persian carpet, his eyes focused on his nose, and his nose on his heart, like a meditating monk, no longer daring to look directly at Murong Qing.
Zhou Fugui, experiencing the scent of a woman for the first time, tasted the sweetness and feared losing control and committing a heinous crime that would lead to the extermination of his clan.
"General Zhou, do you know why I summoned you today?" Murong Qing continued to smile, looking at the somewhat awkward Zhou Fugui.
"Her Highness the Empress..." Zhou Fugui thought for a moment, then raised his hands to his eyes and replied, "Your humble subject Zhou Fugui committed a grave sin, but was fortunate to escape with his life by Your Highness's grace. After this matter, I should have expressed my gratitude to Your Highness. How dare I wait for Your Highness to summon me? However, this humble subject is no longer a general, but merely a prisoner. It is as difficult as ascending to heaven to see Your Highness. Please forgive me!"
Zhou Fugui's appropriate response and expression of gratitude greatly pleased Murong Qing, who secretly nodded in approval.
Murong Qing and others had used Zhou Fugui's situation to banish Consort Yan, Lady Duan, to the cold palace. Furthermore, Emperor Yan Murong Xi had become suspicious of Murong Bole and Murong Fu. Although they had not taken any action against them yet, in the future, Murong Qing and her allies only needed to widen the rift to achieve their goal.
Therefore, Murong Qing and her allies had gained the upper hand, and Zhou Fugui had contributed to their success. Especially Zhou Fugui's uncovering of Duan Mu's father and son's act of rebellion was a stroke of genius, making Murong Qing and her allies even more satisfied.
"Sit by my side," Murong Qing then said, gently patting the carpet for Zhou Fugui.
Ah? Zhou Fugui was instantly "shocked," feeling extremely awkward and embarrassed, unsure of what to do. However, after some hesitation, he stood up, walked a few steps, and knelt before the carpet, placing his hands on the ground and burying his head deeply.
"Lift your head," Murong Qing then said softly.
Zhou Fugui had no choice but to look up and face her. His gaze fell upon Murong Qing's chest. The low-cut robe revealed a deep cleavage, with her breasts seemingly about to spill out.
Zhou Fugui's face turned red, and he lowered his head again.
"Truly a handsome and valiant young man!" Murong Qing smiled again at Zhou Fugui's flustered appearance. "No wonder someone would disregard everything for you. General Zhou, I heard you have an illicit affair with the daughter of the Prince of Guan Ning. Is this true?"
"It is true!" Zhou Fugui was puzzled but replied honestly.
To control his wandering thoughts, Zhou Fugui tried to focus his gaze on a small mole near Murong Qing's nose, which was heavily concealed by powder. If one didn't look closely, it was difficult to notice.
"Hmm..." Murong Qing nodded, then slowly stood up with great elegance. She walked to a table, poured a goblet of wine, and then approached Zhou Fugui. Looking down at him, she handed him the goblet and said, "Grapes are fragrant and mellow year-round, a thousand cups of glazed wine for guests of old. Drinking late at night slows the dance and extinguishes the candle; waking in the morning, the hurried strings urge one on. This is wine produced in the Western Regions. It is wonderfully fragrant and mellow. Ordinary people have not only never tasted it but can hardly even pronounce its name. It is your fortune to be able to taste it today."
"Many thanks, Her Highness!" Zhou Fugui's throat felt dry, so he thanked her and drank the wine in the goblet in one gulp.
"I've even had Romanée-Conti... a small sip..." Zhou Fugui muttered inwardly.
However, this goblet of wine from the Western Regions was indeed very delicious, far superior to the cheap wine Zhou Fugui usually drank.
"General Zhou, why are you so hasty, like a bull chewing peonies?" Murong Qing couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing this.
"Fine wine is like a beautiful woman. Please excuse me, Your Highness," Zhou Fugui, slightly tipsy from the goblet of wine, was no longer as reserved. He said with a smile.
"Fine wine is like a beautiful woman?" Murong Qing poured another goblet and handed it to Zhou Fugui. "It seems General Zhou is not only skilled in archery and horsemanship but also possesses considerable literary talent, making that young lady so lovesick. However, General Zhou, your beautiful union may be like a flower in the water, a moon in the mirror."
"Your Highness, why do you say that?" Zhou Fugui asked.
Zhou Fugui knew very well that his relationship with Murong Huiying was like a flower in the water, a moon in the mirror. What puzzled Zhou Fugui was why Murong Qing brought this up.
"Do you remember what I said to you in Pijin City?" Murong Qing walked slowly around Zhou Fugui, saying as she walked, "I said that your life and death hinge on who wants you dead and who wants you alive."
A strong fragrance also enveloped Zhou Fugui, making him feel drowsy.
"Mm, your humble subject understands," Zhou Fugui nodded.
"Up to now, they still want you dead," Murong Qing said with a light laugh.
"This... it can't be that serious, can it?" Zhou Fugui asked, surprised.
"General Zhou, you are still young and do not understand many things," Murong Qing continued slowly. "Vines grow by attaching themselves, either to a large tree or to a wall, to thrive and bear leaves. General Zhou, to what do you attach yourself? Without support, you are like water without a source, a tree without roots."
At this point, with Murong Qing having spoken so clearly, Zhou Fugui must understand what was going on.
In fact, Zhou Fugui had already understood. Murong Qing merely wanted to use him. Since that was the case, why couldn't he use her? To achieve mutual benefit and complement each other!