Please invite Staff Officer Zhang to come and receive the blade

Is your anger gone?

Su Jin almost laughed out of pure spite!

Was that useless coward Zhang Wei really trying to coax her like this?

She barked in fury, Zhang Wei has quite the nerve. Marrying down to him was already giving him face, and now he doesn't even want face...

Before she could finish her sentence, a short blade stained with blood was pressed against her fair, slender neck.

The edge of the blade was freezing, radiating a cold, murderous intent.

All of Su Jin’s rage was instantly stifled, forced back into her gut.

She was no fool; if she were, she wouldn't have passed up so many other suitors to marry Zhang Wei—a man with a powerful background who was also easy to manipulate.

Looking at the scene before her, this was no messenger sent by Zhang Wei to appease her.

This was a full-blown mutiny!

The words were merely a polite facade.

She quickly stammered, I... I am not angry anymore. I am not angry.

Not angry?

Ren Tianye became increasingly leisurely. But I see that Madam still has a face full of fury, without even a hint of a smile. How can you say you are not angry?

Left side.

Almost instinctively, Su Jin looked to the left.

Slap!

Ren Tianye’s palm appeared from the left.

He did not hold back in the slightest, nor did he show any so-called tender pity for the fair sex. With that single blow, Su Jin’s charming left cheek turned crimson and swelled up instantly.

She clutched her face and cried out in pain, but the moment her eyes met Ren Tianye’s gaze, she swallowed her voice.

Her body began to tremble more and more.

Then...

She forced a smile.

Unfortunately, with her face covered in tears, the smile she squeezed out looked worse than a sob.

Heh, this smile doesn't look good at all.

Right side!

Su Jin reflexively turned her head. Even though she realized it immediately and tried to stop, the palm that emerged from the right did not spare her.

Slap!

The crisp sound echoed through the tent.

Su Jin’s right cheek also swelled up instantly. Her delicate, beautiful face looked deformed at a first glance.

I... I wouldn't dare anymore. I wouldn't dare. General, please stop hitting me. Please stop. I can definitely smile better, I'll smile better...

Su Jin knelt on the ground, pleading bitterly.

She hurriedly tried to adjust her expression, soon revealing a face as beautiful as a flower, blooming with a radiant smile that was utterly intoxicating.

In that moment, her charm was soul-stirring and bone-melting.

A good smile, but not sincere enough!

Left side!

Slap!

Ren Tianye did not give Su Jin time to react, striking from the right this time.

Three consecutive slaps, all with the same weight. Given his strength and the fact that he was not intentionally holding back, Su Jin’s beautiful face was completely swollen like a pig’s head.

Terrified, Su Jin begged for mercy frantically. Then, with the utmost speed, she forced another smile—warm, melting, and with eyes full of sincerity.

Ren Tianye finally nodded in satisfaction.

He said, Seeing Madam smile so brightly, I finally believe your sincerity. You truly aren't angry anymore.

If I can coax Madam into a good mood on behalf of General Zhang, then this trip wasn't in vain.

However...

I find it a bit strange. No matter what, General Zhang has extensive connections and a deep background in the capital. He enjoys Imperial favor and has accumulated many military merits. Why would he marry a lowly daughter of a merchant like you and still fail to appease you?

Isn't she quite easy to coax now?

Ren Tianye spoke with pointed intent. Su Jin quickly said, General, I was wrong. I know my mistake. I will never dare to lose my temper again...

Oh? You still want to lose your temper?

No, no, no. I will serve General Zhang well, as a slave or a maid. I would never dare to make such a mistake again.

Ren Tianye nodded. Good, good. To recognize one's faults and amend them is the greatest virtue.

Madam is indeed a clever person.

But such good news must be reported to General Zhang immediately.

Now, please send a maid to inform General Zhang. Tell him you aren't angry anymore and that you've realized your mistakes. Let General Zhang come and see Madam’s new, reformed self.

Su Jin instantly understood Ren Tianye’s true intention.

He was using her to lure Zhang Wei into her tent.

But all the maids and servants in her tent had been slaughtered; those standing guard now were all Ren Tianye’s men.

Whenever Zhang Wei came to see her, he never brought guards to prevent others from seeing her peerless beauty. Once he arrived, his fate was clearly sealed.

But without Zhang Wei as her shield, her fate would be even worse.

How could she agree?

While she was paralyzed by the choice, she saw the short blade in Ren Tianye’s hand move from her neck to her face.

The bone-chilling killing intent from the blade seeped into her skin, making her shudder uncontrollably.

She was used to seeing weapons.

In Zhang Wei's hands, she had appraised countless precious sabers and swords.

She never thought those ornate or sharp weapons were anything special. To her, they weren't even worth one of her pieces of jewelry; she had always looked down on them.

But now, the blade crawled across her delicate skin like a worm. The piercing cold made her tremble incessantly.

Only now did Su Jin understand the power of cold steel.

It seems Madam is still angry. In that case, I have no choice but to use this knife to carve a smile onto Madam’s face.

A carved smile doesn't fade easily.

General Zhang will surely be pleased when he sees it.

Madam, what do you think?

Su Jin was drenched in a cold sweat, her body shaking. Fear surged within her like a raging sea. She blurted out, I... I'll go call Zhang Wei.

I'll go call Zhang Wei right now!

She shouted at the only surviving personal maid, Why are you just standing there? Go, quickly!

Now, that's a good girl, Ren Tianye chuckled. He turned to Wang Ming and said, Please escort this young lady to General Zhang’s camp.

Yes, sir.

Follow her from a distance. If she doesn't sincerely invite General Zhang to see his wife's reformed state, come back early. You can help me carve that smile on Madam's face.

Yes, General!

Wang Ming grabbed the maid like a chick and hauled her out of the tent, threatening her fiercely, If you try to escape my sight, I'll put an arrow through you before you can take another step!

Do you hear me?

I... I hear you, the pale-faced maid replied, trembling.

Fix your face and go invite General Zhang with a smile. If you mess up this important matter, I'll shoot you dead just the same!

Yes... yes...

Then get moving! What are you dawdling for?

Yes... yes...

The lieutenant, Wang Ming, followed the maid from a distance as Ren Tianye had instructed. He had already unslung the stiff bow from his back. Though his archery wasn't as legendary as Ren Tianye’s, he could still pull a two-dan stiff bow.

Within his line of sight, he was capable of a certain kill.

However, he was still sweating from tension, terrified that even the slightest error might occur in such a high-stakes situation.

Fortunately...

His hands remained steady.

Steady as a rock.

And reality was turning out much better than he had anticipated.

The maidservant was scared out of her wits. When she reached the command tent, she did not even dare to enter; she simply stood outside and began to shout, "M-M-Master, M-Madame is no longer angry!"

"Madame says she knows she was wrong!"

"She asks the Master to come at once!"