181: Chapter 181 Choose whatever you want

Ma Zhenhua's eyes lit up. Having grown up in a Bandits's den, where would she have ever seen so much gold, silver, and jewelry?

Subconsciously, she reached out, wanting to take an emerald bracelet.

But just as her hand was halfway there, she suddenly saw Li Qing standing quietly to the side, not taking anything.

Ma Zhenhua's hand immediately froze in mid-air.

She hesitated for a moment before finally pulling her hand back, shaking her head, and saying through gritted teeth:

"I... I don't want anything either."

Su Bai understood at a glance; this girl saw that Li Qing hadn't taken anything and felt embarrassed to do so herself.

He couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to gently pat Ma Zhenhua's head.

"Silly girl, if you like it, just pick it. Don't worry about others."

"If you two don't pick anything, I'll just throw it all away later."

As soon as these words were spoken, both women became anxious.

"Don't throw it!"

Ma Zhenhua was the first to reach out, grabbing the emerald bracelet and sliding it onto her wrist.

Li Qing couldn't resist either and chose a pair of delicate pearl earrings. Putting them on, they made her already fair face appear even more gentle and lovely.

Watching the two women pick out jewelry, Su Bai felt an indescribable sense of comfort in his heart.

This was what life should be like.

...

In the evening, after dinner.

Su Bai sat by the bedside, watching Li Qing and Ma Zhenhua tidy up the room under the candlelight.

Li Qing wore a simple and elegant long dress; her movements were soft, and every gesture exuded grace.

Ma Zhenhua had changed into clean inner robes, her hair cascading over her shoulders. She lacked the fierceness of the day and gained a bit more charming innocence.

As Su Bai watched, the smile at the corners of his mouth became impossible to suppress.

He gave a mischievous chuckle and suddenly spoke.

"My two wives, tonight, I'll have to trouble you both."

Li Qing's movements came to a sudden halt.

The tips of her ears turned completely red in an instant.

Ma Zhenhua was stunned at first, but then she reacted, her pretty face turning red all the way down to her neck in a flash.

The two women looked at each other, both seeing the shyness in the other's eyes.

Li Qing lowered her head and whispered, "Young Master... you just finished a battle today, won't you rest a bit?"

Su Bai pulled her into his arms and laughed:

"Fighting is fighting, and spending time with my wives is spending time with my wives. Neither hinders the other."

Ma Zhenhua stood to the side, at a loss for what to do, her face so red it looked like it could drip blood.

Su Bai's other hand reached out as well, drawing her into his embrace.

"What? Are you scared?"

Ma Zhenhua bit her lip and said stubbornly, "Who... who's scared!"

Su Bai burst into loud laughter.

The candlelight flickered, casting three overlapping shadows.

A night of tender passion ensued.

...

The next morning.

Su Bai pushed open the door feeling refreshed and took a deep breath of the crisp morning air.

He had been busy for most of the night.

But now, not only did he not feel tired, he felt full of energy.

The talent 'Dragon Essence Tiger Vigor' was truly useful.

He had just finished practicing two sets of fist techniques in the courtyard when he saw a guard running in quickly.

"General, Prefect Lord Li has arrived."

Su Bai raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Invite him to the front hall."

He changed his clothes and strode to the front hall.

Li Han was sitting in the guest seat drinking tea. Seeing Su Bai enter, he quickly stood up and cupped his hands. "General Su, you worked hard yesterday."

Su Bai returned the gesture and said quickly, "Lord Li is too polite. Protecting Yunzhou City is my duty."

Li Han shook his head with emotion:

"If General Su hadn't rushed back in time, I'm afraid Yunzhou City would not have been saved yesterday. I have come today specifically to thank the General."

Su Bai waved his hand. "Lord Li overstates it. By the way—"

He took a blood-stained letter from his robe and handed it to Li Han.

"This is what I found on Chang Feng's body. Please have a look, Lord Li."

Li Han took the letter, unfolded it, and his expression instantly turned grim.

The contents of the letter were simple: After Chang Feng fled Yunzhou City, he had actually taken the initiative to contact the Yao Race, selling them all the intelligence regarding Yunzhou City's troop deployments and grain reserves.

In exchange, the Yao Race promised to make Chang Feng the City Lord of Yunzhou after they breached the city.

After reading the letter, Li Han was trembling with rage.

"This Chang Feng! As a court official, he actually colluded with the Yao Race and betrayed his own people! His death is well-deserved! Truly well-deserved!"

Su Bai didn't speak, just quietly watched Li Han.

Li Han cursed for a while before gradually calming down. He sighed and said:

"General Su, to tell you the truth, it's not just Yunzhou City that is troubled; the entire Great Zhou... is no longer peaceful."

Su Bai frowned. "What happened?"

Li Han smiled bitterly. "Your Majesty was taken by the Yao Race, and there has been no news until now. The imperial court is in complete chaos, with various factions vying for power and profit—everyone wants to be the Emperor."

"I've heard that several vassal kings have already declared themselves independent, and people in the Jiangnan region have also raised flags in rebellion. The sky of the Great Zhou... is likely about to change."

Su Bai fell silent.

He knew that chaotic times were coming, but he hadn't expected them to arrive so quickly.

Li Han glanced at Su Bai and said seriously, "General Su, there is something I must remind you of."

"Ze City's geographical location is very important. It is the eastern gate of Yunzhou City and the only path to the Central Plains. You must hold it firmly in your hands."

Su Bai nodded. "Rest assured, Lord Li, I understand."

Seeing that Su Bai knew what he was doing, Li Han said no more and rose to take his leave.

...

At the same time.

Yunzhou City, Jiedushis Residence.

Zhou Zheng stood by the window, looking at the old locust tree in the courtyard, remaining silent for a long time.

The empty sleeve of his right arm fluttered gently in the wind.

Behind him, a personal guard reported in a low voice, "General, Su Bai has taken Ze City and slain the defending general Kang Bo. Ze City is now completely under his control."

Zhou Zheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Less than a year..."

His voice carried an indescribable sense of emotion.

"In less than a year, he went from a common soldier of humble origins to the position of a City Lord."

"This kid... is much stronger than I was back then."

The guard asked cautiously, "General, should we..."

Zhou Zheng waved his hand, interrupting him, and spoke in a serious tone:

"No need. Su Bai is now my son-in-law after all. Don't let me hear about these schemes again."

He looked out the window, his eyes deep as he murmured to himself:

"Let him be. Perhaps... this kid really can carve out a world for himself in these chaotic times."

...

That evening.

Su Bai finished the day's military affairs and returned to the back courtyard.

He didn't go looking for Li Qing or Ma Zhenhua.

Instead, he used a Transmission Talisman to call Su Mei and Lin Chanchan over.

Su Mei was a woman he had taken in Yunzhou City. She possessed the Fox Yao Bloodline and was breathtakingly beautiful. Her natural charm was so innate it felt as though she could melt a person's bones.

Lin Chanchan was Lin Weiwei's younger sister, charmingly cute and relatively simple-minded.

The two women soon arrived at Su Bai's room.

Su Mei wore a sheer gauze dress, her figure graceful, with every movement carrying a hint of allure.

Lin Chanchan came skipping in, shouting happily to Su Bai, "Young Master!"