Chapter Forty-One: The Beautiful Maiden

Page 1

Lu Hu was jolted awake from his dreams, startled by Bai Dabai’s furious roar beside his ear.

A deep voice warned, “God Lord, wake up quickly, a group of people is approaching.”

“Who dares disturb the God Lord!” Yakexi’s rebuke rang out, accompanied by the rapid thudding of footsteps.

“God Lord, the Empress Dowager of Changli requests an audience,” Shi Zhenxiang reported loudly from outside.

Lu Hu opened his eyes; the light above was dim. Before leaving, the two faux maidens, not wanting to disturb his rest, had extinguished the lamps surrounding the bed.

Still, a dozen oil lamps burned in the great tent, their flames flickering and drifting with fragrant wisps, illuminating the front of the tent with a gentle glow.

“Let them in,” Lu Hu said, sitting cross-legged on the bed, clad only in a robe.

As the tent curtains were lifted, a sudden brightness filled Lu Hu’s vision: a stunning woman entered gracefully, wearing a fox-fur hat and a sable cloak.

She was followed by two equally dressed beautiful young women.

These were true beauties.

All three were exquisite, each surpassing the other, dazzling and captivating.

As they drew closer, Lu Hu, aided by the brighter lamps in the center of the hall, examined them carefully:

The lady in front moved with elegance, her long golden curls tumbling down, her face pale and jade-like, with a prominent nose, finely arched brows, and deep blue eyes reminiscent of the sea. Though her eye sockets were slightly pronounced, it only added to her allure.

She was extraordinarily beautiful—a classic Northern European beauty.

The two behind her had shoulder-length chestnut hair, faces radiant and delicate, their skin seemingly soft enough to burst at a touch. Their brows curved like crescent moons, their eyes glimmered like stars, noses refined, and lips small, red, and inviting.

Their beauty was unparalleled, rare even in heaven, almost impossible to find on earth.

The three women paused upon seeing Lu Hu, stunned: no wonder the soldiers in the camp called him a god descended from the heavens—he truly possessed an extraordinary presence, not at all like a mortal.

“Queen Xiaoguanyin of Changli, pays respects to the God Lord,” the elegant woman bowed slightly, her manner dignified and calm, radiating noble grace.

Changli? Wasn’t that kingdom already destroyed by Dasheng? For the few remnants still lurking, how dare they claim royal titles? And in the presence of the God Lord, not even kneeling? How arrogant!

Given their beauty, Lu Hu let their claims pass, suppressing his inner mockery, “Your Majesty, what matter brings you here at this hour? Please speak.”

“The Emperor attended a meeting at the camp this morning at the invitation of the Left Wise King. He has not returned, and we are concerned, so we came to check on him.”

The servant Sun Zi had proposed marriage many times; Xiaoguanyin was well aware of the hidden dangers. With Quan Douman entering the camp, she sensed calamity, her heart uneasy.

Page 2

By evening, chaos erupted in the camp. One of Quan Douman’s close attendants managed to escape and bring word of his dire fate.

There was no other choice but to risk herself, seeking a way to save her husband.

Her two daughters, knowing their father’s plight was tied to their own destinies, insisted on accompanying her to rescue him.

The so-called ministers were mediocre, with no useful advice.

With only a few hundred guards, they hurried through the night.

They thought themselves lambs entering a tiger’s den, but upon arrival, learned that the God Lord had descended, and the Left Wise King was now the servant Sun Zi.

Xiaoguanyin breathed a sigh of relief—thank heavens! They had arrived at the perfect moment. At least she needn’t worry about her daughters falling prey and being ruined.

“The Emperor? I haven’t seen any emperor, only a man tied to a pillar, beaten beyond recognition,” Lu Hu said, pointing to Quan Douman lying behind the door.

The two young women, their eyes bright and lingering on Lu Hu, were instantly shocked by his words…

“Father! Father!” They cried anxiously, rushing with Xiaoguanyin toward Quan Douman.

Even in their urgency, they moved with ethereal grace.

Xiao Bai, startled by the commotion, began to squeal. Lu Hu cradled it in his arms.

Quan Douman had already awakened. The family of four, reunited after disaster, wept for joy, embracing and crying together.

Xiao Bai squealed again, waking Xiao Huahua, who leaned against Lu Hu, staring around with innocent, wide eyes.

After a time, the two beautiful maidens floated back, kneeling a few steps from Lu Hu’s bed, “Pearl and Jade thank the God Lord for saving our father, and our family. We will never forget your great kindness!”

“Please, rise, ladies, don’t be so formal. It was nothing,” Lu Hu hurried to stand, but his robe slipped, revealing his broad shoulders, slim waist, and muscular chest.

The two beauties blushed, lowering their heads as if unable to look, though their eyes kept stealing shy glances.

“Pearl? Jade? Your names suit you—true treasures of the world. But which is Pearl, which is Jade? Who is elder, who is younger?” Lu Hu felt a little embarrassed, hastily putting Xiao Bai down and throwing his robe back on.

Xiao Bai protested loudly.

“Oh, this little tiger is adorable! Can Pearl hold it?” The girl on the left, lively and innocent, reached forward to cradle Xiao Bai, delighting in it.

Strangely, Xiao Bai, who usually recognized only Lu Hu, settled quietly in her arms, enjoying her play.

“I am Jade, she is my younger sister,” Jade replied calmly, her lovely face serene as a clear pool.

Page 3

“God Lord brother, may I have this little tiger?” Quan Pearl clung to Xiao Bai, reluctant to let go.

“Pearl, how can you make such a request to the God Lord!” Jade scolded her sister, though her gaze was drawn to Xiao Huahua, showing tenderness.

“Jade, don’t frighten your sister. If you two like these little ones, take them,” Lu Hu said, handing Xiao Huahua to Jade.

Jade’s lips curled up with joy as she accepted it.

The two beauties played with their pets, their eyes constantly darting to the God Lord, full of reverence and admiration, making Lu Hu feel uneasy, his heart surging with turmoil.

My brother-in-law is watching me—I can’t lose myself to beauty and forget my beloved Yanali. “Kexi, find a clean, empty tent and settle the Emperor’s family there,” he instructed.

“Yes, God Lord.” Yakexi bowed and withdrew.

“Zhenxiang, help Kexi settle them, and later move the Emperor to their own tent,” Lu Hu added.

“Yes, God Lord.” Shi Zhenxiang bowed and left with his guards.

God Lord brother is so impressive, so handsome.

The thought flashed simultaneously in the minds of Pearl and Jade.

Lingding Xiao Wu, guarding the back door and unable to see what was happening inside, worried for Lu Hu and stepped in to check.

“Ah!” Pearl’s face paled as Lingding Xiao Wu, seeing her holding Xiao Bai, walked straight toward her.

What are you doing holding my child? Lingding Xiao Wu trusted only Lu Hu, treating everyone else as a fool, and continued toward Pearl…

Pearl retreated, sitting on the bed, unconsciously throwing herself into Lu Hu’s arms.

Nestled like a bird, fragrant and soft, even the God Lord could not withstand such temptation.

Lu Hu nearly kissed her, but forced himself to resist, speaking in tiger tongue, “Xiao Wu, don’t frighten the young lady. She only really likes our Xiao Bai.”

Lingding Xiao Wu, assured that his master and child were safe, relaxed and returned to his post by the back door.

Pearl lay in Lu Hu’s embrace, feeling warm and safe, wishing she could always stay so close.

How wonderful it would be to remain like this, for a lifetime.