It Was Him Who Stole My Gold Hairpin

"Execute ten generations if you must! Do you think I, the General, am afraid of you?"

Ren Tianye said with a face full of indignation, "My dignified Duke Ren's Mansion is willing to sacrifice everything for the Great Yu Empire, as long as we can eliminate the Empress and restore a bright and just world."

"Let alone executing ten generations, even if it were eleven generations, no one in Duke Ren's Mansion would even furrow a brow."

"Even if my father knew of this in the underworld, he would certainly praise me."

After frantically establishing a fearless persona for his father—whom he had never met—and everyone in Duke Ren's Mansion, acting as if they were willing to die for the realm, Ren Tianye felt he had achieved the desired effect.

Moreover, seeing Eunuch Wang's pained face growing increasingly flushed to the point where he could barely speak, there was no need to dwell on it any longer.

He ordered, "Take this dog of a eunuch out and hang him on the city wall."

"Remember, don't hang him by the neck!"

"I will use him as a sacrifice to the flag!"

"Let Xiao Mingzhao know the firm resolve of Duke Ren's Mansion."

After speaking, he gave Sun Xiang a meaningful look.

Sun Xiang nodded heavily and ordered his men to take Eunuch Wang out, along with the entire squad that had accompanied him.

His eyes were fierce and seething with murderous intent.

This made Ren Tianye's heart skip a beat.

He quickly said, "Sun Xiang, come back."

"General, what is it?" Sun Xiang returned and asked.

"How do you plan to deal with Eunuch Wang's entourage?"

"Kill them all, of course," Sun Xiang said. "Does the General feel that isn't enough to vent your anger? Please rest assured, General..."

Sun Xiang's face instantly turned solemn. "Your subordinate has a hundred ways to make these people beg for life and pray for death."

"A hundred ways!"

Ren Tianye facepalmed.

He knew things had almost gone horribly wrong.

Ever since Sun Xiang took a trip to Shanhe City, his comprehension had become too fast, sometimes even exceeding Ren Tianye's expectations.

Just like now.

He had no choice but to say, "You can deal with those attendants as you please, but you must leave one alive and make sure he clearly witnesses Eunuch Wang's miserable state."

"And find an opportunity to let him return to the capital to report the news."

Sun Xiang froze for a moment. "General, I thought you were just joking. Are we really doing this?"

"Will the Empress believe it?"

Ren Tianye's gaze was profound. "Whether she believes it or not, it will become a sore spot for the Empress. Besides, with a son branded as a rebel, Duke Ren's Mansion won't have an easy time regardless."

"Furthermore..."

At this point, Ren Tianye paused. "Perhaps Xiao Mingzhao will actually believe it?"

"Her thoughts are not something ordinary people can guess."

Sun Xiang immediately said, "General, I understand."

He then went out to execute the order.

Ren Tianye finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now he was completely free from the ties of Duke Ren's Mansion. It seemed like a bad thing, as he could no longer borrow the mansion's influence.

As a result, when others rebelled, a single shout would gather countless followers and supporters, as their disciples and former subordinates were spread all over Great Yu.

But he was just a solitary commander without an army.

However, this was also fine.

Without constraints, the future would likely be much smoother.

Duke Ren's Mansion was absolutely unreliable.

In fact, he needed to flee far away from them.

Adjusting his mood, he realized it was getting late after this delay, so he called for his deputy general, Wang Ming.

"Let's go. We're taking a trip to the Su Residence."

"Yes, sir!"

Deputy General Wang Ming led the way for Ren Tianye, who sat inside a carriage, followed by over a hundred carefully selected personal guards.

This was his request.

And also strongly recommended by the soldiers.

After all, his personal safety was now tied to the lives of nearly ten thousand soldiers in Yunji City. Although his individual strength was formidable and he could definitely escape even in a crisis.

But it is better to be safe than sorry.

No one dared to take responsibility for any mishaps.

Moving in a grand procession, they soon arrived at the Su Residence. Ren Tianye stepped down from the carriage. Just as expected, the Su Residence featured carved beams and painted rafters, displaying extreme luxury. At first glance, it looked like a prominent aristocratic family.

"It seems the Su family has always enjoyed the treatment of local emperors in Yunji City!"

He sighed, and Deputy General Wang Ming next to him immediately chimed in, "Indeed, General."

"The Su family's status is extraordinary. There used to be officials in their clan, and they have deep connections with many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital. Even the former defending general of Yunji City, Zhan Shubai, had to give way to the Su family."

Ren Tianye nodded.

At the entrance of the Su Residence, the servants were already bowing to welcome him.

The head of the Su family, Su Hong, did not come out. However, Su Xiu's maid, Xiaotao, came forward to greet him: "General, my lady has been waiting for you for a long time. Please enter the residence for a chat."

Ren Tianye immediately realized that Su Hong was deliberately creating conditions for him and Su Xiu to be alone.

He was quite attentive.

And very shrewd.

This made Ren Tianye quite satisfied with Su Hong.

Having such a capable and astute subordinate to manage his businesses would save him a lot of worry regarding military supplies.

Following Xiaotao, it didn't take long to reach the main hall, where Su Xiu was waiting respectfully.

This was Ren Tianye's first time seeing Su Xiu.

Previously, he had only heard Wang Ming and Su Jin praise her, saying that Su Xiu possessed an otherworldly appearance and her beauty was renowned throughout the Northern Frontier. Seeing her today, she indeed lived up to her reputation.

Wearing a moon-white long dress with a carved silver and gold flower hairpin in her hair, she looked graceful and luxurious. In particular, although she naturally exuded a cold aura, she revealed a warm and melting smile.

At first glance, it truly evoked a wonderful feeling akin to spring flowers blooming and all things coming back to life.

"General gracing my humble abode, Su Xiu is deeply honored."

"General, the meal is ready. Please take a seat!"

"Alright!" Ren Tianye wasn't pretentious. He even took a few extra glances at Su Xiu, finding that when this woman acted normally, she was quite charming.

Keeping such a fresh flower in his inner courtyard would be a beautiful thing.

Meanwhile, Su Hong, who had received the news earlier, had been anxious. Upon hearing the servants' report on Su Xiu's situation, he immediately paced around his study in excitement.

"Good, good, good! Xiu'er has finally grown up and become sensible."

"Treating the General like this will surely increase his affection for her. If Xiu'er can keep this up, she won't just be an Empress in the future; she will also be the General's favored concubine."

He muttered to himself, smiling one moment and bursting into laughter the next, unable to contain himself.

The butler reminded him, "Master, shouldn't you go and take a look at this time?"

"Why would I go?" Su Hong immediately rolled his eyes at the butler. "This is exactly the time for the General and Xiu'er to deepen their feelings. Wouldn't I just be interrupting them if I went?"

"I'll go after they finish talking."

"But Master, you'll delay things further that way!"

"What is there to fear? At worst, I'll ride at full speed and bring ten horses to rush over. Losing a few horses is nothing; serving the General well is what's most important."

Su Hong waited excitedly.

Over in the hall, Su Xiu had already picked up a wine cup and offered a toast to Ren Tianye. She took a shallow sip, and a rosy hue blossomed on her fair, almost transparent face under the bright light, making her look even more delicate and charming.

However, the maid Xiaotao, who had just been smiling while welcoming Ren Tianye, suddenly ran in crying.

"M-my lady..."

"It is him, it is him, it is definitely him!"

"He is the one who stole my golden hairpin!"

...