Chapter 388: Chapter 388

"My hospitality might be a little crude and simple. I ask for the General’s understanding."

"Your Highness, you are too kind. To be able to drink within this mansion is a blessing of a lifetime for a common soldier like myself."

Prince Fu’s son picked up his wine cup, preparing to share a drink with Zheng Fan.

Unexpectedly, Ding Hao, who had been acting as Zheng Fan’s chief bodyguard, came over. He picked up Zheng Fan’s wine cup, took a sip, then selected a small handful of fruit from each platter and chewed them.

Prince Fu’s son, still holding his wine cup, looked on with some embarrassment, but Zheng Fan remained perfectly calm.

After a moment, Ding Hao nodded to Zheng Fan. Zheng Fan waved his hand, dismissing him.

Then, Zheng Fan picked up the wine ewer, poured a little wine into his cup to rinse it, then refilled it. Lifting his cup, he said to Prince Fu’s son, "My apologies for this display, Your Highness."

Prince Fu’s son shook his head and said, "The General bears heavy responsibilities; it is only natural to be cautious."

After downing the wine, Zheng Fan didn’t bother with chopsticks. Instead, he used his hand to pick up dried fruits, tossing them into his mouth one by one and chewing.

Armored soldiers stood guard both inside and outside the pavilion, so the atmosphere was indeed somewhat awkward.

Prince Fu’s son opened his mouth to speak several times, but always ended up swallowing his words.

Zheng Fan, however, acted as if he hadn’t noticed the young prince’s body language.

What a joke. Did he really think I would dismiss my guards just so he could speak privately? What if some expert suddenly launched an attack?

Just as the awkward silence had stretched on for a considerable time, an elegant figure approached from outside. It was a woman dressed in fine robes, exuding grace and nobility. Several maids followed her, though they were visibly trembling with fear at the sight of these fierce, foreign soldiers.

Prince Fu’s son immediately rose, bowed respectfully, and said to the woman, "Mother."

Oh, so this is Princess Consort Fu?

Zheng Fan stood up, looked at the woman, and said, "Greetings, Princess Consort."

He neither bowed nor inclined his head.

Indeed. You are the fish, and I am the knife on the chopping block. From an invader’s perspective, not barging in to seize the women of your household is already quite benevolent.

On the surface, both parties maintained an air of courtesy, but they were both keenly aware of the actual power dynamics and the disparity in their positions.

Blind Bei, standing behind Zheng Fan, saw the situation as clearly as if looking into a bright mirror.

His lord had feigned civility with Prince Fu’s son earlier, putting on an act, but now he was starting to put on airs before Princess Consort Fu; it was perfectly understandable.

Male creatures always like to display their wild, dominant side in front of females. Hmm, rather like a gorilla thumping its chest to attract a mate.

"I am honored to meet the General." Princess Consort Fu removed her veil, revealing her face.

Given that her son was already grown, Princess Consort Fu was naturally no longer a young maiden. However, her skin was impeccably maintained, and she possessed an air of elegance—an aura cultivated by her status and position, not by cosmetics or attire.

And her full, curvaceous figure...

Blind Bei shook his head slightly. Oh dear, this is definitely his lord’s preferred type.

Within their circle of Demon Lords, there were certain running gags. For instance, the oft-whispered tales about A Ming and Liang Cheng—both had female admirers yet showed no interest in them. And then there was their lord’s particular taste...

"General, might I speak with you alone for a moment?"

Prince Fu’s son flushed crimson upon hearing this. It wasn’t that he distrusted his mother, but for her to be alone with an outsider , even if nothing improper occurred, was a breach of etiquette. If word of this got out, what would people think? Moreover, this general from Yan State was his father’s murderer!

Zheng Fan nodded and said, "Everyone, withdraw."

Blind Bei was momentarily speechless.

The armored soldiers around the pavilion withdrew. As he left, Blind Bei even gestured for Prince Fu’s son to do the same.

Prince Fu’s son clenched his teeth and also withdrew.

In the pavilion, only Zheng Fan and Princess Consort Fu remained.

Zheng Fan sat down. Princess Consort Fu proactively walked over, poured Zheng Fan a cup of wine, and offered it to him.

Zheng Fan accepted the wine cup but didn’t drink, placing it on the table instead.

Who knows if you’ve hidden poison beneath your fingernails!

Princess Consort Fu smiled faintly. She was in the prime of a woman’s life; her mature aura, coupled with a beauty that had yet to fade, meant that her every gesture, though not deliberate, exuded an endless charm.

Well, she’s still a fair bit lacking compared to my Siniang, Zheng Fan thought. Siniang isn’t a young girl anymore, but among elegant, mature women, she’s in a class of her own—truly peerless!

Princess Consort Fu seemed to sense Zheng Fan’s thoughts. She picked up the wine cup, took a delicate sip, and then offered it back to Zheng Fan. For origınal chapters go to novel⦿fire.net

A faint crimson imprint from her lips remained on the rim of the cup.

He drew in a sharp breath.

Zheng Fan took the cup but still didn’t drink, setting it down once more.

Who knows if you’ve laced your lip rouge with poison!

Yes, Chief Zheng was afraid of death, terribly afraid. It couldn’t be helped. Any man, after killing someone’s husband, would instinctively feel a little unnerved sitting before the widow, wouldn’t he?

As for agreeing to be alone with her in the pavilion, Zheng Fan had his reasons for confidence. Firstly, although the armored soldiers were not inside the pavilion, they had formed a perimeter outside. Blind Bei’s spiritual sense should be enveloping the surroundings.

Barring the extremely remote possibility that Princess Consort Fu was some terrifying entity like the Heavenly Mountain Maiden, Zheng Fan was confident. With his Eighth Rank Martial Cultivator strength, augmented by the Mo Wan, dealing with a single woman shouldn’t be a problem.