My lord, spare his life!

People can't even empathize with themselves.

Ge Zhou couldn't understand why he admired and respected Sun Ban. Was it because he was too close to the situation to see clearly, and didn't know the other's character before? Or was he only thinking about the favor he had received, completely ignoring other flaws?

Zhang Yang, however, said, "That's not how it works."

Ge Zhou couldn't help but turn to his lord.

Zhang Yang silently shifted her gaze, feeling a pang of nostalgia for the censored mosaics—sixteen years of feudal conservatism meant that the NPCs still couldn't accept this world's audacious setting of using breasts as eyes. She tried hard to visualize Ge Zhou's face and corresponding expression in her mind.

"Love and hate are two sides of the same coin. Even scum can have their redeeming qualities. To those who hate her, it's called being heartless and ruthless, but to those who are loyal to her, it's called being decisive and ruthless." Ge Zhou severing ties with the past won't make Zhang Yang happy.

The other person will regain their memory someday.

Whether it will be love or hate at that time is really hard to say.

The brainless Xia Gengshi couldn't think about complex issues; he only felt that his lord's words made sense. The two eavesdropped for a while, then Zhang Yang had Lü Yuan send Changsun Wang away so Ge ​​Zhou could retrieve his head. Ge Zhou scratched his head: "It's still better to have a head."

Although she could see and speak without a head, her line of sight was too low; she still preferred looking at the top of people's heads.

Zhang Yang: "I'm used to you having a brain too."

Changsun Wang was completely unaware of all this, and only looked at Lu Yuan, who was taking him away, with a gloomy expression: "Are you planning to break my legs again?"

"I broke your leg to save your life. If you don't appreciate it and don't want this life, I can break your neck." Lu Yuan was not just following orders; she also had her own motives: to completely persuade Changsun Wang. "But you should think it through. If you die, no one in this world will care whether your mother died a mutilated body or not, and no one will take back her head."

Changsun Wang's eyes turned bloodshot from the shock, and he was left with nothing but brokenness.

Lu Yuan lowered his eyes and sneered, "Look up and look me in the eye! Even though you said in front of your godmother that you and Sun Zhaoruo had no lingering ties, I know you, and I know Sun Zhaoruo even better. A drowning person won't let go of any straw."

Changsun Wang was so angry that he trembled all over.

Lu Yuan's hand rested on his shoulder, then moved down his back, gently pulling him into her embrace. She wasn't wearing armor, only ordinary, everyday clothing, so Changsun Wang didn't feel cold, hard skin, but rather the warmth of a living person. Lu Yuan patted his back lightly: "I know you're in pain, but you must hold on. The revenge for your mother's death is still unavenged."

Changsun Wang was taken aback at first, then suddenly pushed the person away.

He was breathing rapidly: "You, you—"

Lu Yuan: "I used to call you 'elder sister' or 'older sister.' I thought that even if we weren't related by blood, we weren't strangers. Now that you've done this, how can I not feel sorry for you?"

Changsun Wang took a step back in alarm: "Lü Bafeng!"

Lu Yuan sighed and called out, "Changsun Fuming."

Use the other person's words to remind them to stay clear-headed amidst their pain.

Lu Yuan abruptly changed the subject, bringing up something from the past: "I remember when we first met, you were hiding in a corner wiping away tears."

A young soldier with no connections managed to latch onto a powerful figure by sheer luck, and was treated like a son by that figure, even being given the surname Changsun. Being young, inexperienced, and lacking military achievements, he was easily bullied by seasoned veterans.

They outwardly comply but inwardly defy; they praise someone to their face but slander them behind their back.

Changsun Wang hid in a corner and cried pitifully.

Lu Yuan appeared under these circumstances, like a divine intervention, guiding him, teaching him, and shielding him from unfriendly slander and defamation. No matter how complex the problem, she could handle it with ease and composure, demonstrating her formidable strength.

Even seventeen or eighteen-year-olds can unconsciously become immersed in this tolerance and magnanimity, mistakenly believing that they are special.

Changsun Wang: "I didn't cry, I was just frustrated that things didn't go well!"

Lu Yuan laughed and said, "Alright, you didn't cry."

But Changsun Wang was indeed so easily fooled by Lü Yuan that he dared to say anything, from simple teenage worries to all sorts of shocking, unrestrained remarks. Lü Yuan always appreciated the boy's pure dependence with a half-smile, feeling the youthful vitality within him, tolerating his immature innocence and simplicity, and acting as a qualified listener.

Changsun Wang: "...It's like this again, it's like this again!"

Lu Yuan was only slightly older than him, but he always looked at him with that superior, tolerant gaze. Even after all the hardships he had endured, was he still the boy he once was in Lu Yuan's eyes?

His words seemed nonsensical, but Lu Yuan could tell what the other person was regretting and resenting. After all, it was this very conflict that had caused their breakup. Lu Yuan said, "If you were truly mature and composed, you wouldn't act impulsively and regret it for the rest of your life."

Changsun Wang: "..."

"There are priorities. No matter how painful or difficult it is, you must pull yourself together and clearly identify who the primary enemy is and who can be won over," Lu Yuan said, staring intently at Changsun Wang's face, scrutinizing every detail. "Your mother may not have been killed by her, but rather she herself was strong-willed and resolutely chose to die, using her death to awaken her misguided son and guide him back to the right path. But ask yourself honestly, can you truly accept Sun Zhaoruo, who drove your mother to her death? Can you return to her side without any reservations, serving her and being driven by her? Have you considered your future?"

Changsun Wang was unwilling to admit that Lü Yuan had hit his weak spot.

He said, "Didn't Lord Boyuan also have a blood feud involving the murder of his master?"

Upon seeing this, Lü Yuan knew that even if he wasn't entirely wrong, he was probably right: "But your adoptive mother won't stop you from seeking revenge, nor will she prevent you from staying or leaving. Under your adoptive mother's command, you have a chance to avenge your master's death, but under Sun Zhaoruo's command, can you avenge your mother's death?"

Changsun Wang: "Ha, what do you intend to do?"

"I can find a way to vouch for you. Sun Ban wants to use a self-inflicted injury ruse, so why can't your adoptive mother play along? As long as you can understand this, you can seize the opportunity to gain merit, completely clear your name, and use your adoptive mother's forces to retrieve your deceased mother's body and head. As a son, can you really just stand by and watch your mother's body lie exposed in the wilderness, her flesh devoured by maggots, her body unable to find peace in the earth?"

Changsun Wang's body trembled.

The temptation offered by Lü Yuan was simply too great.

His face was deathly pale as he asked, "How can you treat me like this, telling me all this? Isn't that a betrayal of Zhang Boyuan?"

Lu Yuan: "Helping you is also helping myself. You might not like to hear this, but while your mother was the only one publicly displayed, my entire family was hanged. At that time, I thought that no matter the cost, I had to let them rest in peace. Because I empathize with you, I felt compassion. I've walked that path myself, and I know what a rational and correct choice is, and I know that a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. I just don't want you to feel the same regret and tears you felt when we first met years later..."

Changsun Wang wept uncontrollably.

Looking at the head resting on his knees, Lu Yuan thought to himself, "He claims to be mature and steady, but he still falls for it after just a few words."

He Zhi witnessed the entire "pig butchering scam" firsthand.

Lu Yuan's good mood came to an abrupt end. He awkwardly explained, "...I only see him as a younger brother. He just lost his mother and needs comfort. Besides, he's in deep mourning, so even if I had feelings for him, he wouldn't overstep his bounds. I just wanted to take advantage of his low spirits and win him over emotionally!"

He Zhi scoffed, "What are you explaining?"

Lu Yuan: "...I'm just afraid you'll be unhappy."

She would rather He Zhi draw his sword and stab her a few holes than have him stare at her like a ghost, his gaze ever-present, a persistent, haunting presence. Sometimes, Lu Yuan would dream of being paralyzed by a ghost, and upon closer inspection, the ghost would have He Zhi's face.

Even she, who wasn't afraid of ghosts, was now scared.

He Zhi: "You are devoted to the public good, how can I be unhappy about it?"

Unless Lu Yuan has other ulterior motives.

Ritsumoto: "..."

He Zhi walked alongside her, and the two headed towards Zhang Yang's main tent: "You're vouching for him, aren't you afraid of losing both your money and your man?"

Lu Yuan said, "It's a sure win; he has no way out."

Which is more hateful: the hatred of killing one's teacher or the hatred of killing one's mother?

Before the news arrived, Changsun Wang had already been forced to swallow his hatred for his master's murder and coldly submit. Regardless of his true feelings, his body had indeed obeyed. Sun Ban was now using his deceased mother's dying wish to coerce him; this tactic might not be effective.

"Changsun Fuming is not so blindly loyal as to be beyond redemption. Even if Sun Ban later claimed that others acted on his mother's behalf and that it was not her intention, would that erase the hatred for his mother's murder? It cannot erase it; he will hold a grudge for life."

Why is Lu Yuan so clear about this?

Because she empathized with him.

The target was as arrogant as Sun Ban back then, thinking that Lü Yuan would suffer the consequences, but as it turns out, Lü Yuan always remembered it.

He Zhi: "Even so, there's no need to vouch for him."

Lu Yuan stopped and sighed.

"Because I truly felt compassion."

This is the truth; she's not lying.

"Oh."

He Zhi was clearly displeased, but he still endured it. He had been imprisoned by Lü Yuan for many years, during which time Lü Yuan had sought a little comfort from him several times, much like Changsun Wang had sought comfort from her knees. These were the few times that Lü Yuan had revealed his true feelings, which made people feel soft-hearted and pity him.

He Zhi knew all too well how pitiful that posture was.

Ritsumoto: "..."

She suspected He Zhi would interfere, as she had discovered more than once that He Zhi wanted to kill Changsun Wang. She never expected He Zhi to speak up for her, persuading her adoptive mother to use Changsun Wang once, as bait to lure out Sun Ban's core troops.

If he hits the target, Sun Ban will have no chance of making a comeback.

Taking over the entire Dou County would be a piece of cake.

The two were unaware that Zhang Yang already knew the truth about the death of Changsun Wang's deceased mother. Just as they were about to reveal it, Zhang Yang pondered for a couple of breaths and then agreed.

The pleasure was so great that even Lu Yuan was astonished.

"...Won't your stepmother reconsider?"

Zhang Yang gently stroked Lü Yuan's hand: "You are my son. If I don't trust you, who else can I trust? Fei Ye plans and schemes for me in everything. I see everything, big or small, advance or retreat. If I don't trust him, who else can I trust? Fei Ye is to me as water is to a fish. Now that I have both of you, I have both my left and right arms."

Lu Yuan stared in disbelief, while He Zhi lowered his eyes.

He cursed inwardly that the mother and daughter were cut from the same cloth, their sweet talk coming out of their mouths at the drop of a hat!

She had the nerve to say it, but she herself was embarrassed to hear it.

Seeing that the two did not react, he cast a puzzled look at them with his affectionate eyes.

He Zhi forced a smile and volunteered to keep an eye on Changsun Wang. If Changsun Wang did anything wrong, he would kill him himself, trying to minimize the losses, and was even willing to atone with his own death.

Ritsumoto: "..."

Why did she feel that He Zhi wanted to kill Changsun Wang more?

Zhang Yang had no reason to refuse.

"Alright, alright, go ahead. I'll lead the troops to cover for you, so you won't have any worries!" Zhang Yang personally helped He Zhi up, and the more she looked at He Zhi, the more pleasing he became. If He Zhi had any ulterior motives, the previous flood would have been the perfect opportunity for him to betray her. He could have joined forces with He Wen of Che Si County to cause Zhang Yang considerable trouble, trapping her troops in the mountains and cutting off their communication with Tian Yue County.

However, He Zhi did not do so.

Therefore, it will be difficult for He Zhi to turn against him again in the future.

He Zhi pursed his lips and accepted the order.

He hurriedly took his leave as if his backside was on fire, as if there were terrifying jackals and tigers watching him from behind—even though he knew that Zhang Yang's mouth was no different from Lü Yuan's, saying one thing to one person and another to another, he still had a moment when he couldn't help but want to believe him.

This loss of control is truly terrifying.

Lu Yuan rolled his eyes: "These literati, they all have this problem. They're clearly out of their minds, but they still have to act all demure."

Zhang Yang: "That's called being secretly passionate."

Lu Yuan savored the words carefully and couldn't help but give them a thumbs up.

"My stepmother is so knowledgeable; her words are so concise." With just two simple words, she perfectly captured the essence of her feelings. "Isn't that just being a repressed flirt? She's obviously so alluring that she can't help but hold back, suppress, and cover it up."

Zhang Yang: "..."

Is this how you understand this word?

The next day, Changsun Wang's leg injury was basically healed, and he could ride a horse at full speed without any problem. As a subordinate general of Lü Yuan, he led his troops to the border of Dou County. Sun Ban knew about the past between Changsun Wang and Lü Yuan, and was stunned to learn that Changsun Wang had been taken away by Lü Yuan.

"Lust truly is a double-edged sword."

Lü Bafeng is truly incorrigible.

Previously, her attempts to entice him with beautiful women had failed, leading her to believe that Lü Yuan had reformed. However, it seems he's a leopard that can't change its spots; he's completely captivated by attractive women. She secretly contacted Changsun Wang, but Sun Ban didn't fully trust her and instead probed her.

Just as Lu Yuan had predicted—

Sun Ban did not admit to forcing Changsun Wang's mother to her death.

Her words in the letter were earnest.

Sun Ban originally intended to treat Changsun Wang's mother well and sent someone to escort the old woman to reunite with her son. However, someone disobeyed and inadvertently revealed the truth. What was even more unexpected was that the old woman was so strong-willed that she chose to cut off her head in order to force her son to repent.

She has already sent people to arrest those who outwardly comply but inwardly defy her.

After Changsun Wang's triumphant return and the defeat of Zhang's bandits, Sun Ban sent someone to apologize with thorns on his back. Whether to kill or spare him was up to him. As the ruler, she also had her faults and undeniable problems.

The poem is written in parallel prose, with a rhythmic and melodious tone, conveying the sincere and heartfelt emotions within.

Who wouldn't be moved after seeing this?

but--

He Zhi commented: "The writing is elegant and refined, displaying the grandeur of a master. The structure and conception are also ingenious, demonstrating a solid foundation of talent. However, all the remorse is merely a superficial display, appearing weak and lifeless. If she truly regretted her actions and knew she was wrong, why didn't she bring the 'culprit' to justice? Why wait until everything was settled before putting on a show of having someone apologize? Or tell Fuming that she had already ordered her mother's body to be properly disposed of? Tsk, none of that. Remorse is feigned; deception is the real purpose."

Changsun Wang's heart grew colder and colder.

He wanted Sun Ban dead far more than he wanted Zhang Yang dead.

? ?(σ???)σ..:*☆

There will be another update on the evening of the 24th.