Zhou Hongling sat in the seat of honor in the main hall. Though she was quite tired, her heart was brimming with joy. Lu Yuan was simply too capable. With someone like him under her command, there was no need to say anything else.
First of all, her promotion was all but certain.
Second, she had made a name for herself under the Marquis of Nine Fortresses.
Among the nine fortress cities, Ice Plains Fortress was the only one to have wiped out the Silver-Armed Iron Sparrowhawks.
Lu Yuan and the others had already received their rewards. How far behind could her commendation be?
Once she became Guardian General of the Three Cities, her rank would be Subordinate Fifth Rank. Even in the Zhou Family, she would be among the foremost figures.
Her father, as General of Yan Province, held a slightly higher position than some generals in the inland provinces, but his rank was only Subordinate Fourth Rank.
And as long as Lu Yuan remained under her command, she would never be short of merit in the future.
After all, whenever he fought, she would receive merit as his superior.
What she needed to consider now was how to keep Lu Yuan and cultivate his talents.
If he really became a famous general one day, it would mean something entirely different for the Zhou Family.
Her father had drunk quite a bit today, so she planned to speak with him first thing tomorrow morning.
Just then, Zhou Xiong walked in.
"Greetings, Captain."
He stood there, his body as imposing as an iron tower. His armor gleamed with a dark sheen, lending him a certain air of might.
As soon as he finished speaking,
Zhou Hongling took a sip of the hangover soup a maid had brought and asked, "Is something the matter? It's so late."
"My lady, Zhou He came to report that while he and Lu Yuan were drinking at Spring Breeze Pavilion today, someone from the Helian Clan tried to recruit him. They offered a very high price: one Mystic Tendon Fruit, control of an elite unit from Yellow Sand Fortress City, and the Helian Clan even promised to make Lu Yuan a Chiliarch within a year."
As soon as he finished speaking, half of Zhou Hongling's drunkenness vanished.
She cursed the Helian Clan inwardly, while also realizing that she had been careless and let them find an opening.
She couldn't help feeling deeply vexed.
But as she sipped her tea, she discreetly hid her expression.
Then she said softly, "Oh? So that happened. What did Lu Yuan say?"
At that question, Zhou Hongling's heart tightened, though her voice remained calm and unruffled.
"Lu Yuan refused outright and returned every gift the Helian Clan offered," Zhou Xiong reported truthfully.
Zhou Hongling breathed a sigh of relief, and her admiration for Lu Yuan grew even stronger.
Everyone liked capable and loyal subordinates.
To be honest, with what Lu Yuan had achieved, he already had the ability to choose his own path.
Even the Zhou Family could no longer hide his brilliance.
After pondering for a moment, Zhou Hongling said, "I understand. Zhou He did well. His cultivation is at the Bone-Forging Realm now, isn't it? When you get back, find something to reward him with. The expense will come from my private treasury."
"Yes, my lady," Zhou Xiong replied quickly. He couldn't help thinking that his nephew really was a fool with all the luck. If he stayed with Lu Yuan, there would be no shortage of benefits in the future.
Then, as if she had thought of something, Zhou Hongling continued, "Spring Breeze Pavilion? If I'm not mistaken, that's the brothel in town. Tell Zhou He that Lu Yuan is still young and needs to focus on cultivating. He mustn't drag him into fooling around.
"If I find out he's taken Lu Yuan to a place like that again, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Her voice turned stern as she finished.
After receiving his orders, Zhou Xiong hurriedly said, "Understood. I'll deal with him as soon as I get back."
But he couldn't help wondering how she knew Zhou He had taken Lu Yuan there, rather than Lu Yuan going of his own accord.
He didn't dare dwell on it, though, and soon withdrew.
By now, Zhou Hongling was completely sober. She decided she couldn't wait any longer. Tomorrow, she would make clear to Lu Yuan what the Zhou Family intended. Otherwise, who knew who else might try to win him over?
Though she trusted Lu Yuan, the Zhou Family had to prepare in advance.
After thinking it over for a moment, she headed for the courtyard where Zhou Ren lived.
Her own resources were limited. Only her father could offer truly valuable things.
Elsewhere, Lu Yuan knew nothing about this. He was already fast asleep.
The night passed without incident. He got up early the next morning, ate breakfast, and cultivated until midmorning.
The courtyard gate swung open, and Zhou He strolled in without a care.
His face was alight with joy. An hour earlier, Zhou Xiong had come to find him and given him several bottles of Bone-Forging Pills, saying that they were a reward from the Captain.
He had also been told to notify Lu Yuan to visit the Captain's Mansion.
In Zhou He's eyes, Lu Yuan was now the one who put food on his table.
"What are you doing here at this hour?" Lu Yuan stopped cultivating when he saw him come in, then picked up a towel nearby and wiped himself down.
"Tsk, tsk. My lord, even I can't help admiring that figure. I wonder which lucky girl will end up with you. She'll be living the good life, that's for sure," Zhou He said, resting his chin in his hand and speaking without a trace of seriousness.
These days, only he dared tease Lu Yuan to his face.
"If you have something to say, say it. If you have nothing better to do, I'll get back to training." Lu Yuan shot Zhou He a glance, his tone unfriendly.
"Hey, don't get mad. I've come with good news. The Captain wants you to go see her. I reckon she's going to reward you again. You really made a splash this time," Zhou He said, sidling up to him.
Lu Yuan's expression turned serious. He put on his clothes. "Then I'll head over right away."
After fastening his clothes, he prepared to leave.
Zhou He trotted along behind him. He couldn't enter the Captain's Mansion, but he still wanted to know what benefits Lu Yuan would receive.
After all, he felt that if the family didn't offer something substantial, it would be hard to justify.
When they reached the Captain's Mansion, Lu Yuan walked straight in. The guards had told him that Zhou Hongling had instructed them not to announce his arrival from now on; he could come right in.
When he entered the study, Zhou Hongling was reading.
Today she wore a red silk dress beneath a close-fitting black soft cuirass. She had seen the Marquis off early that morning, so she was dressed quite formally.
Yet she looked even more dashing, and even her armor couldn't conceal her curvaceous figure.
When Lu Yuan entered, Zhou Hongling smiled and set down the book in her hand. "Have a seat. All the officials left today, so it's just us now. I'll treat you to lunch."
That morning, Hong Cheng had announced in public that she would be appointed Guardian General of the Three Cities, with her headquarters still in Ice Plain City. She would establish her own office, and the appointment would probably come through in the next few days.
So she was in a good mood.
When she looked at Lu Yuan, she couldn't conceal the admiration in her eyes.
"Yes, my lady."
Lu Yuan was no longer so reserved. He sat down at once.
Then Zhou Hongling said, "The court and the Marquis have already issued their rewards for this expedition. Now, let's talk about what I have planned for you."
At that, Lu Yuan's expression turned solemn. He was curious, too, about what the Zhou Family would arrange for him next.