Miss Wanqing, a Role Model of Love

"Is it really going to come to a complete falling out between me and the city lord? With Ren Tianye’s army outside, if I and he don’t get along, defending Pukou City will be that much harder!"

Zhou Xiong truly was a remarkable general. Even when his private matters had been exposed to such an extent, and all performed openly in front of everyone, he was still thinking about the city’s defenses.

But the audience...

Mainly the men and women of the Pukou City Love Mutual Aid Alliance, were utterly enraged.

Their anger boiled like scalding water, surging fiercely.

"I can’t watch this anymore, not even a bit! How could there be such a heartless, ungrateful man in this world? Miss Wanqing is so good to him—always willing to treat him well, always sending him fine horses, even supporting him—and yet he doesn’t appreciate any of it!"

"Exactly! This man is despicable! Miss Wanqing treats him so well, but he only wants to take more and more, draining her dry. I can’t stand it."

"Zhou Xiong really doesn’t respect love at all. Such a pity that our kind-hearted Miss Wanqing’s fate is sealed by him."

...

The jeers and insults grew louder and louder, snapping Zhou Xiong out of his thoughts. Feeling the weight of a thousand eyes condemning him, anger flared anew in his heart.

He glared fiercely at his comrades nearby, who looked somewhat sheepish, then pushed through the crowd to another stage to watch.

The scenes were more or less the same everywhere—comprehensive, relentless accusations aimed at him from every angle.

Moreover, the performances on the various stages became increasingly explicit, depicting his daily interactions with Wanqing, even scenes from their private conversations in her boudoir.

Where there were details, they were laid bare.

Where there were none, imagination filled in the blanks, forcibly turning Zhou Xiong’s image into that of a man despised by all.

"Damn these dogs!" Zhou Xiong cursed inwardly. "I wish I could just open the city gates and let Ren Tianye’s army in, so these people can learn what real war is like."

Alas, these words remained unspoken, confined to the depths of his gut.

In the end, still seething with anger, he prepared to leave—only to suddenly hear another round of commotion.

Looking over, he saw someone speaking up for him, drawing a crowd from the Pukou City Love Mutual Aid Alliance.

"I think General Zhou isn’t entirely wrong. Wanqing talks big, but when it comes down to it, she always backs off."

"She says she won’t marry General Zhou, yet demands every bit of the betrothal gifts; she claims to treat him well but refuses to do any housework; she says she can support Zhou Xiong but won’t let him rest at home; she says she listens to Zhou Xiong, yet won’t give him a single penny... isn’t this a classic case of saying one thing and doing another?"

This argument found support among many of Pukou City’s common folk. After all, although the Love Mutual Aid Alliance was loud and proud, their numbers were limited.

Most of the city’s ordinary people could still discern right from wrong.

The alliance members, however, were infuriated beyond measure, surrounding the speaker and hurling furious curses.

"I say this guy is just Zhou Xiong’s lackey. Let’s dig up all his information and expose him."

"Right. From now on, everyone should avoid him."

“He’s definitely just like Zhou Xiong—heartless, loveless, lonely, a complete scoundrel!”

...

Amidst such curses, those ordinary commoners were both afraid and determined.

To Zhou Xiong’s eyes, this stirred a deep sense of emotion.

Indeed, in Pukou City, there existed groups like the Love Mutual Aid Alliance, and officials like the city lord who couldn’t tell right from wrong, stirring the city into chaos.

It was driving him nearly insane.

But within Pukou City, there were countless ordinary civilians, and these common folk were clear-eyed and understanding.

And these commoners made up the majority.

This gave Zhou Xiong a powerful sense of confidence.

Still, Zhou Xiong did not attempt to rescue those commoners. After all, he knew saving them now wouldn’t guarantee their safety forever. Yet, he left with a hopeful heart.

Meanwhile, after being tormented by the men and women of the Love Mutual Aid Alliance, those commoners were utterly exhausted. Fortunately, the alliance members didn’t linger around them endlessly.

Only then did the commoners manage to scatter.

They all ran far away.

Only then did they finally breathe a long, relieved sigh.

“That was terrifying just now!”

“Tell me about it.”

“Sigh, nowadays, it’s hard enough to be a decent person, let alone a normal one!”

...

As they continued their chatter, a figure suddenly appeared, blocking the commoners’ path.

It was Song Shaoyi, who, alongside Chen Liang, was plotting under orders from the former leader of the Demon Suppression Division to assist Ren Tianye.

“Dear fellow villagers, I just heard your support for Zhou Xiong. Alas, I didn’t expect you hadn’t seen the full picture.”

Under the shadowy darkness, half of Song Shaoyi’s face was concealed, but not even a sliver could hide the imposing aura radiating from him.

The commoners, who had been sighing moments before, suddenly grew wary upon seeing this man’s sudden appearance and hearing his words.

“Who are you?”

“What do you want?”

Almost instinctively, the crowd took a few steps back, collectively adopting a defensive stance.

“What, don’t you recognize me anymore?”

Only then did Song Shaoyi step into the light, revealing a face both handsome and radiant.

Immediately, the crowd gasped in surprise.

“Oh, it’s Shaoyi.”

“Ah, almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Shaoyi, what did you mean by what you just said?”

...

Song Shaoyi had received orders from the former Demon Suppression Division leader to assist Ren Tianye, so naturally, he came prepared.

In fact, he and Chen Liang had arrived in Pukou City almost simultaneously. While Chen Liang worked hard to join the Love Mutual Aid Alliance, Song Shaoyi immersed himself among the people.

During this time, through countless good deeds, many of Pukou City’s commoners had come to know him, at least enough to recognize his face.

Having done so much, now was his time to make his move.

He said, “Look at what Pukou City has become. Look at what Yun Jing has become. Don’t you all see it clearly?”

“To be blunt, Pukou City is already rotten—rotten to the core. Yun Jing is the same—utterly decayed.”

“In a place like this, where is there room for people like us—the normal ones?”

"Right now, everyone is stuck guarding this miserable Pukou City, living day after day in this endless cycle, struggling to survive among these pathetic love-obsessed fools."

"Is that what everyone wants?"

Song Shaoyi’s voice wasn’t loud, but the people before him fell into a heavy silence.

Not because they were stunned, but because Song Shaoyi’s words struck a nerve—they were like a thunderclap that pierced straight into their hearts.

Of course—they had lived in Pukou City for years, and they knew exactly what kind of hellhole it was.

Not only was it overrun by love-obsessed idiots, but even those so-called “Love Mutual Aid Alliance” groups, made up of men and women, were riding roughshod over them, treating them like dirt.

Life like this was absolutely unbearable.

After a moment of silence, the tension broke and erupted all at once.

“Shaoyi, you’re right. This Pukou City really isn’t a place for people to live.”

“Shaoyi, those Love Mutual Aid Alliance folks, and those officials, they’re just despicable. As soon as love is involved, even when we’re in the right, we end up looking like we’re wrong.”

"Damn it, if I could be reborn, I’d want to be born somewhere else—never come to Pukou City again… no, never come to the entire Yun Capital."

…

With the atmosphere charged to this level, Song Shaoyi knew he was halfway there.

He waved his hand decisively and said, “Why wait for reincarnation? Right now, there’s a golden opportunity to completely change our fate.”

“Fellow villagers, don’t you know about what happened in Huaian City?”

Song Shaoyi’s reminder was so clear that even if these people were fools, they immediately understood what he was referring to.

They all burst into excitement.

“Shaoyi, are you talking about the imperial forces?”

“I heard it was the Duke Ren, from the court—the Duke Ren Tianye. He’s known for being kind and caring like a father, and he never buys into this love-obsessed nonsense. Under Duke Ren’s command, everyone is treated equally.”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard that too. But haven’t we always been told here in Pukou City that Ren Tianye, the Duke from the court, is ruthless, cold-blooded, and even worse than Yun Capital? I don’t know who’s telling the truth.”

“Exactly, that’s why I both hope for it and fear it.”

…

Song Shaoyi smiled slightly and said, “Fellow villagers, you might not know what’s true or false, but there is one thing you definitely know.”

“That is, who are the ones spreading the rumor that the Duke is cold and heartless?”

Song Shaoyi didn’t give them time to think; he pointed out the answer directly: “Isn’t it all people from Yun Capital?”

“Isn’t it the Love Mutual Aid Alliance?”

“Isn’t it those in Pukou City who worship this love-obsessed madness?”

Then he added, “Tell me, why do these people keep spreading rumors that the imperial army is merciless? Why do they say Duke Ren Tianye is cold and ruthless?”

“Is the reason behind this really that hard to guess?”

His words jolted them awake!

Or rather, many had long suspected, but dared not confirm it—now that Song Shaoyi reminded them, they all realized the truth.

Song Shaoyi fanned the flames: “I, Song Shaoyi, can now responsibly tell you all that the Duke is a rare leader who truly cares for the people, and he is the one who will crack down on those reckless love-obsessed fools.”

“Everyone can set aside their doubts and boldly believe—once the Duke arrives, justice will prevail, and the common people of Pukou City will be saved!”

This statement struck with such force that the crowd instantly erupted in excitement.

The Duke is coming, and justice will be restored?

Well then, what’s there to hesitate about?

Let’s welcome the Duke with open arms!

“Shaoyi, we believe in you. Let’s look forward to the Duke’s arrival together.”

“I heard the Duke’s forces have already reached the outskirts of Pukou City. Does that mean he’ll be here soon?”

“So, does this mean our good days are just around the corner?”

...

The crowd couldn’t contain their joy.

But Song Shaoyi, ever the realist, poured a little cold water on their enthusiasm. “Fellow villagers, the Duke is indeed just outside Pukou City, but entering the city won’t be easy—far from it.”

“Our Pukou City has high, thick walls. Commander Zhou Xiong has fortified the city with a substance called ‘stone coagulate,’ and combined with Yun Capital’s cannons, even the Duke’s army, no matter how tirelessly they attack for months on end, might not be able to breach these walls.”

At this, Song Shaoyi deliberately sighed.

“The Duke has a responsibility to his troops. If taking Pukou City proves too difficult, he will likely abandon the siege, risking a direct assault on Yun Capital.”

“Or worse, retreat.”

“Return to the capital and give up on capturing Yun Capital altogether.”

Before he finished, the crowd erupted again.

What the heck?

The Duke is right at the city gates, and our good days are supposed to be coming, yet he might just leave?

No way—that would mean all our excitement was for nothing.

“That’s unacceptable! We’ve waited so long for the Duke; we can’t let him walk away.”

“Maybe we should try harder—find a way to take Pukou City ourselves. I know where the city lord lives.”

“But we’re just a handful of people.”

“Sigh, so what can we do?”

...

Amidst the chatter, all eyes turned back to Song Shaoyi. After all, they weren’t fools. If Song Shaoyi said there was a way, there had to be one.

Sure enough, Song Shaoyi spoke again: “Actually, the solution is quite simple.”

“We need to give the Duke a reason he simply cannot ignore to capture Pukou City.”

After a pause, Song Shaoyi continued, “As I mentioned earlier, the Duke loves his people like his own children. But not only that—the Duke is known for his firm crackdown on ‘love-crazed’ behavior.”

“He absolutely will not tolerate ‘love-crazed’ madness wreaking havoc across the land.”

“So, if Pukou City is absolutely flooded with ‘love-crazed’ behavior, the Duke will surely find a way to break through.”

“To save everyone from this chaos.”

The crowd was utterly baffled.

Flood Pukou City with ‘love-crazed’ behavior, and the Duke will definitely storm in?

The logic was strange, but it matched exactly what they had heard from the anti-Yun Capital and Love Mutual Aid Alliance factions...

“So, everyone must pretend to be ‘love-crazed.’ Let the ‘love-crazed’ antics roar and rage, make Pukou City a veritable sanctuary of ‘love-crazed’ madness. Then...”

Song Shaoyi declared with unwavering certainty, “The Duke will undoubtedly throw every ounce of his strength into capturing Pukou City.”

“Do you all understand?”

They did.

They had to pretend to be love-struck fools.

To let the fire of the ‘Love-Brained’ craze in Pukou City blaze wildly and uncontrollably.

“So… should we completely change our attitude and start showing goodwill toward the members of the Pukou City Love Mutual Aid Alliance? Maybe even fake joining them?”

The smart ones immediately asked the crucial question.

Song Shaoyi gave a firm and decisive answer right away.

“Yes!”

“You finally get it!”

“But that alone isn’t enough. There’s one more thing you have to do… You need to help the people of the Love Mutual Aid Alliance to jointly attack Zhou Xiong, the city’s defending general.”

At this point, Song Shaoyi’s face was filled with deep sorrow and frustration.

“You guys, your previous actions almost drove me crazy. Who is Zhou Xiong? He’s the defending general of Pukou City. It’s because of him that Pukou City stands strong.”