105: Exhorting Zhaoyu

Early in the morning, Yin Chan headed off to the blacksmith shop to work. To suppress the resistance organization, she needed to forge ten "Divine Machine" crossbow mounts, each capable of firing eighty-eight arrows at once.

A casual remark from the innkeeper last night had provided Ming Tian with a great deal of inspiration. What was that guy’s name again? Pang Chong, right? That assist was legendary! If that blockhead Cui Jue were even half as reliable, that masked man wouldn't have slipped away last night.

Having stayed with the resistance for about four days, Ming Tian was well-acquainted with their internal operations, so there was no need for further intelligence gathering. In fact, after last night’s skirmish, the resistance was already on the back foot; as long as nothing went wrong in these next three days, then...

Wait, was that a "flag"? Even if it was, it didn't matter. How many flags had he set by now? He’d managed to uproot every single one of them in the end. He might as well crown himself a professional flag-breaker.

With time to kill, Ming Tian found himself relaxing. Without a smartphone to scroll through social media or group chats, the only thing left for him to do was to flirt—no, to care for the ladies... no, to care for his companions.

Ming Tian loved sleeping in, so the morning grocery run fell to his wife. Since the UV rays weren't strong in the morning, wearing armor was fine, and besides... the market vendors were terrified of her when she wore it, which usually meant a discount. Since Xin Zhu’s funds were running low, An Luo, serving as a commander of a thousand and acting as Xin Zhu’s personal bodyguard, dutifully escorted her.

As for those two little rascals, Mo'er and Feng Mowang, who knew where they’d gone? Children loved to play; he assumed they were off somewhere playing in the mud, and he couldn't be bothered to check.

The only person left in the inn besides Ming Tian was Zhao Yu, who was still in her room. The innkeeper, Pang Chong, was also gone—likely off to find a carpenter to repair the inn—and the cooks seemed to have been scared off entirely.

Leaving behind some money and a note, Ming Tian took a frying pan to the kitchen. Just like the night he saved Mo'er, he cooked a bowl of thick porridge. Regardless of his own state of mind, Zhao Yu had been injured last night; as the leader, it was only right he prepared something for her. Purely out of kindness, he prepared the meal and headed upstairs.

"Zhao Yu? How are you feeling? Have something to eat."

Carrying the carefully prepared porridge, Ming Tian realized his hands were full. Seeing the door was unlocked, he stepped right inside.

And then...

The scene before him made Ming Tian blink, his mind momentarily blank. Zhao Yu was changing her clothes. Her bare skin, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window, looked as translucent as fine jade.

For a second, Zhao Yu was equally stunned, her large, limpid eyes staring blankly at Ming Tian, who was staring back with equal bewilderment.

Uh... is this... am I a character in an anime? This... this development... is just too damn exciting! Oh!! My "Italian artillery," please don't load! The male protagonist's artillery should never be loaded in an anime!

Still, this "fan service" was incredible! Thumbs up!

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!"

A sharp, piercing shriek, like fingernails dragging across a chalkboard, vibrated through the room, making the roof tiles rattle. Zhao Yu, having been caught unawares by the intruder, scrambled to cover her chest and crouched down, her scream deafening.

Though it had only lasted a split second, Ming Tian had seen it all. The snow-white, delicate skin, the firm, youthful curves—even if the bandage on her shoulder was a bit of an eyesore, it was...

Walking straight into a room because the door was unlocked... thinking back, that was a truly veteran move. If he ever became a coach, he’d probably make a killing!

"Young Master, how could you do this!!!"

Zhao Yu’s face was as red as a boiled crab as she crouched down, clutching her chest. This was the second time he’d seen her like this; the first was when she was bathing in the wilderness near Yangzhou...

He really felt a bit guilty toward the young girl... as if! He wouldn't get tired of seeing that even after a hundred times! What? Unfaithful to the Princess? How could that be! Loyalty to love and being a lecherous man weren't mutually exclusive. Besides... what’s wrong with a man being a lecher? Being a lecher is justice!

He didn't reply. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; he wasn't about to act like some restrained, dense anime protagonist. He couldn't bear to blink, staring fixedly at Zhao Yu. Well, he wasn't an idiot—he knew he was going to get beaten up for this, so he might as well get a good look, right?

Seeing Ming Tian staring at her without moving, Zhao Yu grew both shamed and furious. With one hand covering her chest, she grabbed whatever was within reach and hurled it at him!

"Get out! Stop looking, you smelly lout!"

Cups, a wooden pillow, a bronze mirror...

*Thwack!* Ming Tian caught one to the face, his nose starting to bleed. It was fine! He wouldn't budge... wait, why are you picking up the chamber pot? Hey, hey, hey, that’s going too far!

Watching Zhao Yu prepare to hurl the chamber pot, Ming Tian paled in terror. He dumped the porridge and beat a hasty retreat, slamming the door shut.

*Splat.* The moment the door closed, the paper window was instantly splattered with a dark, ink-like mess.

Ah... I actually feel a bit sorry for Pang Chong.

Half an hour later, in Ming Tian’s room.

Because her room had been covered in filth, Zhao Yu had no choice but to change and come to Ming Tian’s room. She sat on the bed, her face still flushed, head bowed, pouting in silence.

"Alright, alright, I was wrong, okay?"

After sitting in silence for over ten minutes, Ming Tian finally poured her a cup of tea and offered it as an apology.

"Hmph."

Zhao Yu let out a huff, turning away and refusing the tea, her lips pursed in indignation.

"Oh, come on. You know how men are, right? I promise I’ll never do it again, okay?"

He moved to the other side and offered the tea again. The girl let out a small sob and began to cry.

"You're too much! I’ve been seen by you twice now! How am I ever supposed to marry anyone else?!" She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned her head away.

"Uh..."

That made Ming Tian feel a bit awkward. It was true; ancient women placed great importance on chastity. He wasn't sure what dynasty this was, but he remembered a history lesson from junior high where they said in some eras, if a girl’s arm was seen by a man, it was considered tainted and had to be cut off.

Then again, he *had* been a bit of a pig, staring at her like that... but then again, his surname was Zhuge, so maybe it was in his nature?

Seeing that Ming Tian didn't respond, Zhao Yu’s thoughts drifted back to last night, and she began to sob openly. The accumulated hurt and betrayal finally boiled over. She leaned weakly against the wall, murmuring between gasps, "Fine... look if you want. Brother De doesn't want me anymore anyway. If you want this body, just take it."

*Really? Then I won't be polite!*

He couldn't actually say that, of course. It was clear the girl was truly devastated. The man she had loved for three years had only been using her, and in the end, he’d thrown her into a dungeon to die. Anyone would be shattered. Even though Zhao Yu was strong, she was still a woman. Having just lost her father and now being betrayed by her lover, the fact that she hadn't hung herself already proved she was remarkably resilient.

Seeing her like this, Ming Tian couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. He set down the tea and reached out.

"What are you doing, Young Master?"

"Oh, nothing~" Ming Tian gave a cryptic reply. "Anyway, do you play Go? Let’s have a game."

Although Ming Tian had practically torn the inn apart over the last few days, it was one of the best in Yangzhou. Every room was stocked with a Go set and a ball—or *cuju*, as they called it. Ming Tian couldn't play *cuju*, but he was quite good at Go. Go was calming; it was perfect for soothing Zhao Yu.

"Go?" Zhao Yu looked uninterested. "I’m not very good, but if you have the inclination, I suppose I can play. Please don't look down on me."

"It’s fine," Ming Tian laughed. Go was his specialty. "Let’s just play for fun."

*Yes,* he thought, *comforting her while showing off my skills—two birds with one stone. I’m a genius.*