Chapter 91: The Maiden's Name?

Not only Zhou Zhi, but even that young man was greatly surprised. His usually arrogant and willful little sister had actually spoken to him in a consultative, even pleading tone. This left the young man overjoyed.

He thought to himself that his little sister truly was commendable, giving him face both in major matters and in front of these soldiers. Most importantly, she understood how to approach problems from multiple angles—a truly admirable quality.

The young man stared at his little sister for a long while, as if seeing her for the first time. Meanwhile, the beautiful woman paid no heed to her brother’s gaze. Her lovely eyes remained fixed on Li Lin, staring until his heart turned to ice and his entire body chilled.

Only then did the young man understand. No wonder his little sister had spoken as she had earlier. It seemed she had always looked down on Li Lin, mentioning him repeatedly in front of him as someone who broke rules and undermined military discipline.

She had even brought up Li Lin’s sister, Li Xiao Ying, describing her as a widow who flouted all propriety, consorting with men day and night in Xin Zhuang and the surrounding countryside, her reputation reduced to nothing.

In the end, his little sister despised women like Li Xiao Ying, which was why she harbored such hatred and dislike for Li Lin. Yet Li Lin was, after all, a capable subordinate with decent martial skills. The young man had heard, however, that the man frequently traveled to and from Xin Zhuang, colluding with shady characters.

It appeared today’s claim that Li Lin had impersonated an official was genuine.

Considering this, the young man regarded Li Lin with a cold gaze.

The twin looks of the siblings struck like arrows, making Li Lin’s heart quake and cold sweat bead on his forehead.

“Please, my lord, believe this humble one,” Li Lin pleaded, voice trembling. “They really went to Xin Zhuang to cause trouble and bully me. You must avenge me!”

The young man’s eyes grew icy. “Li Lin, I ask you again—are you or are you not an impostor?”

Li Lin had never admitted the deception from the start, but now the relentless questioning and the woman’s merciless stare left him terrified. He hesitated.

As a soldier, impersonating an official was a grave offense, especially when it involved bullying civilians—an unforgivable crime.

Regret flooded Li Lin. He had only meant to rescue his sister, but Zhou Zhi and the others had seen through him, and he had fled in panic.

He had failed to save Li Xiao Ying and instead endured a storm of humiliation. How could he bear it? So he had raced back for reinforcements.

This young man was his superior, known for a quick temper. Hearing of the injustice, he had gathered more than a dozen soldiers at once. Normally, he would have beaten them all to vent his anger.

Yet to Li Lin’s shock, the captain seemed to know Zhou Zhi and began questioning the details of the affair, even offering a reasoned defense.

If he had known this, he would never have fetched help.

Li Lin thought the thought bitterly.

Feeling the captain’s majestic aura, he had no choice but to continue. “My lord, it is true I impersonated an official out of desperation to save my sister. She had been bound by them, wearing nothing but her thin undergarments, subjected to every form of torment. I cannot bear it!”

His voice broke with emotion.

As a small flag officer, Li Lin had been doing well, but now he had no choice but to confess everything.

The young man’s face darkened. “Li Lin, all my care and protection, and you deceive me so! You almost made me join you in wrongdoing. Humph! Just wait and see how I punish you!”

The beautiful woman’s expression was glacial as she glared at Li Lin, seething.

At that moment, the bound woman, Li Xiao Ying, broke free of her captors. Disheveled, she rushed forward and knelt before the young man’s horse, weeping. “Captain, it is not my brother’s fault. He only acted to save me, a civilian girl. Our Li family now has only him left. We still hope he can secure a bright future. Please show him mercy. All the wrongs are mine alone. I should never have listened to that deceitful Taoist’s words and framed an innocent man. Punish me if you must!”

Her tears and sobs made her sound utterly pitiful.

The situation had changed so swiftly it stunned everyone. To their ears, Li Xiao Ying now showed remorse.

Zhou Zhi listened in silence, his gaze cold. Her words only deepened his hatred for the Taoist Li Shun.

The young man considered for a moment, then cupped his hands courteously. “This little brother, the matter is minor. Seeing that this woman has repented, spare her on my account.”

A captain, a sixth-rank official of the court, bowing to a country youth like Zhou Zhi was not sincere, but it still astonished him.

Keeping the woman served only to extract more information about Li Shun; there was no other purpose now.

Since the captain had spoken, Zhou Zhi accepted the favor. “You honor me too much, my lord. We have crossed paths before, so of course I defer to you. I release her at once.”

Zhou Zhi understood the captain’s restraint. Their dozen mounted, well-trained soldiers vastly outnumbered his ragtag group.

He signaled the two thugs behind him. They stepped forward and cut Li Xiao Ying’s bonds.

Though she now wore a cloak, she still trembled from the cold. Li Lin dismounted at once, removing his own thick outer garment and draping it over her shoulders, clearly devoted to her.

The captain cupped his hands again to Zhou Zhi, then called out, “Return!”

His men turned their horses and prepared to ride.

Zhou Zhi’s eyes followed the beautiful woman’s red steed. The horse had just turned, still not galloping. Zhou Zhi’s pulse quickened; he took two quick steps and approached the animal.

Smiling, he bowed solemnly to the woman. “The little brother thanks you, miss… thank you, young master.”

“What thanks?” The woman’s brows rose in confusion.

Zhou Zhi had assumed she meant well for him earlier, but her words chilled him.

She laughed lightly. “Heh, you country boy seems quite interesting—studying, gathering men, fighting and brawling, even managing such a motley crew with some style. But… I truly cannot fathom you. What sort of person are you, exactly?”

The woman’s curiosity was evident.

Many a tale between man and woman begins with curiosity.

Her smile was breathtaking, stirring Zhou Zhi anew. He recovered quickly. “I am nothing special—just a poor country boy named Zhou Zhi.”

“Oh, your name is Zhou Zhi.” She repeated it.

“May I ask your name, miss?” Zhou Zhi inquired.

“Hmph! Too rude. May your family’s little sister’s name be bandied about so freely?” The exchange had lasted only moments. The young man, who had already ridden ahead, suddenly reined in to retrieve his sister. Hearing the question, he flushed with anger.

He had forgotten his own courtesy.

Zhou Zhi knew such casual questions were improper, yet the impulse of curiosity overrode all restraint.

“Come along, little sister!” the captain said, ignoring Zhou Zhi.

“Go!” The woman spurred her horse.

It had taken only a few strides before she glanced back and called, “The Tang County Kou family is my home!”

Then she and her brother rode away in a cloud of dust.