The Demon Lords

A group of generals, one by one, kneeled before an empty chair and reported their names, then solemnly drew their swords and stabbed them into the floor!

...

"Sister, it’s very difficult."

Xiong Liqing looked at the thick account book in front of her with a face full of worry, and she coquettishly said to Siniang:

"Sister, wouldn’t it be nice if I could just be a vase?"

Yuexin, sitting nearby, covered her mouth and laughed.

Xiong Liqing knew she was the blind man’s wife, so she said to her, "Sister Yuexin, don’t you think these things are tiring and trivial?"

Yuexin shook her head and said: "Helping the men share a little burden makes it easier for them. Besides, when it comes to managing accounts, we’re family, so if we do it ourselves, it can be much more convenient."

The princess pouted, looking at the abacus in front of her, full of sadness.

Yuexin spoke again: "Today in the city, it’s very lively."

To celebrate Lord Pingye returning with the princess, all the shops in the city started offering limited-time discounts.

This was all arranged by Siniang.

The princess said to Siniang: "Sister, thank you. You’re really good to me."

Siniang shook her head and said: "Even with discounts, there’s still profit to be made. The weather is about to get hotter, and the merchant caravans outside will soon arrive. The cattle and sheep on the snow fields will fatten up, the workshops will start operating, and a new batch of goods is about to come up. Naturally, we should take this opportunity to clear out some stock."

"......" The princess.

"Every year on this day, we can do this event," Siniang said.

Xiong Liqing bit her lip and said: "We can’t let him go out and snatch another princess next year, right?"

"It’s an anniversary, snatch back a princess for the first, second, third year. As long as there’s a reason for discounts and promotions, isn’t it easy to come up with an excuse?"

Siniang put down her pen and said to Yuexin: "Teach her again."

"Yes, Sister Feng."

Siniang then looked at Xiong Liqing and said: "You must learn to manage certain things. Besides, you’re inherently smart. In these few years, you can rely on one ’My lady.’ After a few more years?

What if one year, Chu State ceases to exist?

Men, they’re like this, very prone to abandoning the old for the new."

"Yes, sister understands."

"Mm, you continue to check the accounts. I’ll go rest."

Yuexin spoke: "Sister Feng seems very sleepy this time she returned."

"Sleeping is always the best way to heal."

After Siniang left, the princess looked at Yuexin and said:

"Sister Yuexin, could you tell me how you met Mr. Bei?"

Yuexin kept her head down, noting the accounts, and said:

"Just like you."

"Just like me?"

"Mm, snatched back."

Back then, when Zheng Fan’s troops entered Chuzhou City, Wen Sutong was forcibly saddled with an official hat from Yan by the blind man, eventually requiring Wen Sutong to completely turn to the Yan people by marrying off his granddaughter.

Strictly speaking, Yuexin was indeed "snatched" back.

The princess tapped her chin with her finger and said:

"Does their family have a tradition of snatching people?"

Yuexin nodded,

and said:

"If the food in your own bowl isn’t enough, isn’t it natural to snatch more?"

"That sounds very reasonable."

Yuexin smiled and said: "My husband said that."

"Show-off."

"Hm?"

"That’s what my husband said."

...

Meanwhile,

Lord Zheng was listening to tunes in Liu Ruqing’s small courtyard.

The tunes were local ones from the Chu region, with intense Chu accents and long notes, which Lord Zheng couldn’t actually understand.

But it didn’t matter,

as long as the person singing was beautiful.

With those long notes, in Lord Zheng’s ear, they almost all transformed into "Uncle~~"

After a song ended,

Lord Zheng lowered his head and drank a sip of tea.

Liu Ruqing said somewhat nervously: "I’m sorry, uncle, I didn’t sing well."

Lord Zheng pointed downwards with his finger,

and said:

"Look, you sang very well."

Liu Ruqing immediately blushed, turned her face away, and called out:

"Uncle~~~"

Zheng Fan wondered if this woman just liked this form of address or liked using it because she found it appealing; she had kept it even after entering the mansion.

But undeniably, every time she called out in that tone, Lord Zheng felt as if ice cubes were running through his body in the summer — numb and tingling.

So sometimes Lord Zheng couldn’t help but playfully tease her, just to hear her shyly call out that voice.

But for now, it was limited to that.

Siniang’s injury hadn’t healed completely and still needed some time. But since Siniang said she wanted a child, naturally, he had to wait. He felt he wasn’t some stud horse nor had he imagined a harem of three thousand beauties, but at home, having a little fun with this teasing was quite interesting.

Counting the days, Chengjue’s butcher’s wife should be due to give birth soon, right?

At this time, Xiao Yibo arrived, standing at the entrance of the small courtyard, announcing:

"My lord, the generals have arrived."

Lord Zheng nodded and said:

"I know."

Rising, bidding farewell to Liu Ruqing, Lord Zheng walked toward the central courtyard, where guests and discussions took place.

During his time in the Chu region, the military system at Snow Sea Pass was changed. Typically, if someone else was in charge, his subordinates dared to act like this in his absence, it would certainly be the greatest insubordination. But between Lord Zheng and the Demon King, there was no such conflict.

What’s incredibly comforting in this world is when you have a group of competent subordinates, even better, you don’t have to worry about them rebelling.

Calling them here,

was just his routine appearance to maintain presence as a mascot, and at the same time, to instruct preparations for the parade three days later.

Liang Cheng had been waiting; as vice commander, he naturally had to be present at such times. Fanli stood behind Liang Cheng, waiting together.

"My lord, aren’t you going to wear armor?" Liang Cheng asked.

"It’s too troublesome, not wearing it. At home, just be casual, anyway I’m not planning to go out."

However,

as Lord Zheng just arrived at the central hall, Jin Shuke and other generals hadn’t had the chance to salute Zheng Fan, the rehearsal prior hadn’t been used yet,

a messenger guard from the entrance of the Earl’s Mansion ran in,

and shouted:

"Imperial Envoy has arrived to declare the Imperial Edict!"

Although the rehearsal hadn’t been used yet, Jin Shuke and others had smiles on their faces, because everyone understood that this edict must be a reward.

Entering Chu and snatching back the princess, although it wasn’t an attack on a city or a fortress, it was still a major achievement, uplifting morale, the emperor certainly would have rewards.

Lord Zheng wasn’t as thrilled, frowning slightly. He vaguely felt a sense of foreboding because the Imperial Envoy didn’t send someone ahead to notify, instead, the arrival was only known when they reached Snow Sea Pass, meaning this envoy team had come quickly without any delays.

If it was just a simple reward, was such urgency necessary?

Liang Cheng saw Zheng Fan frowning and said: "My lord, rest assured, it must be something good."

Lord Zheng sighed,

and said:

"You say that, and I become even more anxious."

Liang Cheng was momentarily at a loss for words.

Lord Zheng said: "A Cheng, do you think we could imitate Lord Jingnan, shut our doors, and let the Imperial Envoy give the Earl’s Mansion gate lions a thick covering?"

"I’ll go."

Fanli picked up his axe and turned to leave.

Lord Zheng held his head,

and said:

"Pull that fool back."

Then,

Lord Zheng waved his hand,

and said:

"Give orders to welcome the envoy."

Xiao Yibo beside him asked: "My lord, should we go out of the city to welcome them? If so, we’ll need to organize military and civilians to wait outside the city now."

Xiao Yibo remembered last time an Imperial Envoy came to confer the title "Lord Pingye" to his master, his master had personally gone out of the city to receive the edict, giving the Imperial Envoy very grand treatment.

Lord Zheng glared at Xiao Yibo with displeasure,

this glare made Xiao Yibo instantly feel anxious, because it meant he had misunderstood his master’s intentions, implying he, the head steward, couldn’t keep up with his master’s rhythm.

Lord Zheng sighed,

and said:

"Don’t always make a big fuss and disturb the people. Besides, why be so troublesome.

It’s just receiving an edict,

This Earl,

will just wait at home."

——————

A sad message, the dragon’s schedule is messed up again, although the dragon will try to ensure updates.

Last month, we updated 260,000 words. This month, we strive to hit 300,000 words.

Finally,

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