Chapter 11: The Beautiful Lady of the Zhen Family

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Liu Zhan followed the butler into the city, accompanied by Zhang He and Gao Lan.

The Zhen family was the wealthiest household in Zhongshan City. With the Yellow Turban Rebellion stirring up trouble, the Zhen family was truly terrified. If the city fell, they, as a prominent family, would undoubtedly suffer. Not only would their property be at risk, but their lives might also be in jeopardy.

The problem was that the Zhen family's patriarch, Zhen Yi, had already died, leaving behind his wife, Madam Zhang, and a multitude of children. There were boys, but the oldest was only twelve or thirteen years old—what could they do? Zhen Yi's eldest son, Zhen Yan, was thirteen this year; his second sons, Zhen Yao and Zhen Jiang, were twelve-year-old twins; Zhen Tuo was ten, Zhen Dao was eight, Zhen Rong was six, and Zhen Mi was four.

The sheer number of children was impressive, indicating something. It suggested that Zhen Yi's wife was extraordinarily beautiful, enchanting enough to captivate Zhen Yi and make him tirelessly work day and night. Such exertion was bound to deplete him.

Hoping for help from the government was futile; once news of the rebels attacking the city spread, the authorities had already disappeared. Madam Zhang, however, showed remarkable resolve. Seeing her household in such distress, she bravely stepped forward, rallying the young and strong within the city to take up arms and defend it.

Fortunately, Zhang He and Gao Lan happened to be in the area. Upon encountering this situation, they couldn't just stand by and chose to help defend the city. Thanks to their involvement, the city's defense was repeatedly saved from being breached.

Liu Zhan entered the Zhen family's courtyard, where he was met by a lady. He was momentarily stunned by her beauty.

Though this woman was not as youthful as a girl in her early teens, she was still incredibly captivating. Her beauty surpassed that of the famed beauties of the past and her demeanor was equally enchanting.

From her appearance, the lady seemed to be in her late twenties, with red lips and delicate hands, and her every movement exuded charm. Her smile was intoxicating, yet her demeanor also subtly conveyed grace and nobility.

However, Liu Zhan knew that Madam Zhang, despite her beauty, was likely over thirty due to having several children. Even so, he was spellbound by her dignified and graceful presence, thinking to himself, "To think she is the mother of a goddess-like figure, she must truly be a enchantress! If I were a bandit king, encountering such a woman, I would surely take her as my consort. But now is not the time. I am an official soldier and taking someone else's wife is out of the question. Even though this beautiful lady is already married, it still complicates matters."

On the surface, Liu Zhan appeared serious, but inwardly he was far from it. His mind was filled with inappropriate thoughts about the woman, evident from the look in his eyes, clearly calculating something.

Madam Zhang approached Liu Zhan and, with an elegant and charming demeanor, performed a deep curtsy.

"I am grateful to the general for saving us from fire and water. Without your help, my family and the city's people would have suffered greatly. Inside, we have prepared some food and drink. Please, come in and let us converse."

Madam Zhang's voice was melodious, her eyes sparkling, and her graceful figure radiated an aura of elegance, which left Liu Zhan somewhat dazed. As he regained his composure, he quickly returned her courtesy. Though he maintained a serious facade, his mind was filled with lewd fantasies. He imagined embracing, fondling, and handling her, ultimately reaching a man's final goal. It was clear that his thoughts were less than honorable.

"Not at all. As soldiers, it is our duty to eliminate rebels. We could not ignore them. Madam, you flatter me. I am ashamed. Please, lead the way."

During the meal, Madam Zhang, despite being a woman, did not shy away from showing her respect and poured Liu Zhan several glasses of wine.

"I heard that the troops you brought number just over a hundred. How did you manage to defeat nearly twenty thousand Yellow Turban soldiers? General, your bravery is unmatched both in ancient and modern times. Though I am only a woman, I am deeply impressed by your valor."

"Madam, you flatter me. The Yellow Turban rebels are merely a mob relying on their numbers to intimidate. In a real battle, they are no match for a trained army. My soldiers are seasoned veterans from the borderlands, while the Yellow Turbans are merely farmers who have just set aside their hoes. They are no match for my troops."