Chapter 142: The Proud and Coy Zhen Mi

He glanced at the sky, where dawn was just beginning to break, then turned to look at the soldiers kneeling before him.

Cao Peng asked, “What is the situation inside the city?”

The leading general replied, “Rest assured, General. Everything is already under our control.”

Cao Peng could not help smiling. He raised his head and looked at the city before him.

“Send the order. We are entering the city.”

Zhao Yun and Guan Yu could hardly believe it. Without encountering a single soldier from Yuan Shao’s army, they had somehow made their way all the way to Ye City.

One could not help marveling at the intelligence in Cao Peng’s hands. It was astonishingly detailed.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry under his command had raced all the way here and were already showing signs of exhaustion. Thus, Cao Peng’s most urgent task was to lead everyone into the city, fill their stomachs, quench their thirst, and only then consider what to do next.

The commanders of Ye City had, for the most part, already been won over. The few stubborn holdouts had also been beaten to death.

In other words, the city had been taken without shedding a drop of blood.

“The strength of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is truly beyond belief!” Zhao Yun could only sigh in admiration.

He had glanced at Guan Yu just now and discovered the same shock in the other man’s eyes.

…

As Cao Peng led his army into the city, the members of the Zhen family were gathered inside Zhen Family Fortress, discussing the fate of their clan.

They had clearly been deliberating for a long time, yet had reached no conclusion.

The eldest brother, Zhen Yan, was trying to persuade Zhen Mi. But his peerlessly beautiful younger sister refused to yield.

“Little sister, the Cao family has produced such a rare genius—and he is a great general besides. Why are you unwilling?”

“Brother, what do you take me for?”

The stunning young woman wore a sorrowful expression. She was deeply dissatisfied with being arranged like this.

Were women truly destined to be treated like merchandise, bought and sold at will?

First it had been Yuan Xi, and now it was this Cao Peng.

No matter how one looked at it, everything came down to entangled interests.

Zhen Yan’s expression darkened, and he said sternly, “Little sister, why are you being so foolish? Is the life or death of the Zhen family no longer important to you?”

Zhen Mi laughed bitterly. “The Zhen family? Its life or death? In the end, you still use such grand principles to pressure me. You two are men of the Zhen family, yet you are powerless before the current situation and must rely on me, a woman. How absurd is that?”

Her words left Zhen Yan speechless.

The Zhen family’s widowed matriarch, Madam Zhang, was also present in the hall.

No one knew her daughter better than she did. Zhen Mi was stubborn and proud by nature. From childhood, because she was the most beautiful of all the girls in the family, she had been cherished like a precious jewel.

Yet now, Madam Zhang could only say, “My daughter, can you not listen to your brother a little more?”

Zhen Mi replied indifferently, “If he is in the right, I will naturally listen.”

“Ah, little sister!”

Zhen Yan sighed and continued trying to persuade her. “Perhaps you have a point, but let me ask you just one thing: the Zhen family is about to face utter ruin. Will you help us, or will you not?”

That was tantamount to laying everything bare.

Would she help them or not?

Zhen Mi could only sigh. “There has still been no word from Eldest Sister and the others. Why don’t we wait until they return before discussing this further?”

Of course, she could never truly abandon the entire clan. Her argument with Zhen Yan was merely an outlet for her resentment.

When the moment truly came, she would still resign herself to fate.

Seeing that his sister had finally lowered her head, Zhen Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ah… I wonder how Zhen Yao and the others are doing.”

They had been gone for some time now. No one knew whether Cao Peng was willing to send troops. The longer matters were delayed, the more likely it was that the Zhen family’s ship would capsize.

Just as they were thinking this, strange sounds came from outside.

It seemed to be the thunder of countless hooves striking the ground.

Zhen Yan was about to send someone out to find out what was happening when the old steward stumbled into the hall.

“My lord, this is terrible! Cao’s army has entered the city!”

At that moment, the hoofbeats drew nearer and nearer. It seemed the army had already reached the gates of Zhen Family Fortress.

“How is that possible? How could they have arrived here so easily?” Zhen Yan stammered.

It was like something out of a fairy tale. News of a battle had not even reached them—so how had Cao’s army suddenly entered the city?

He was not the only one thinking this. Everyone present was equally bewildered.

The old steward, gasping for breath, said, “There is no mistake. Cao’s cavalry is almost at the gates.”

It seemed the news was indeed true.

“Quickly, come with me to welcome them!” Zhen Yan said hurriedly.

He strode out of the room. Whatever else might be said of them, the members of the Zhen family were staunch lackeys of the Cao family. Cao’s army entering the city was good news for them.

Everyone in Zhen Family Fortress except Zhen Mi followed Zhen Yan outside.

Zhen Mi, however, retreated alone to her chambers.

When they reached the gate, they saw a general mounted on a tall horse, gazing at them with an imposing air.

“General Cao?” Zhen Yan asked tentatively.

The young general before him bore some resemblance to the man Zhen Yao had described.

Even with the truth plainly before his eyes, Zhen Yan could not help wondering inwardly: This is Ye City. How did they get in?

At that moment, Cao Peng, mounted on the Red Hare, spoke.

“I have already met Zhen Yao. I have come here to rescue you from your misery. But before that, see to it that my soldiers are well fed and given plenty to drink.”

Hearing this, Zhen Yan hurriedly fell to his knees.

“General Cao, you have arrived at the perfect moment! Gentlemen, please come in. My family will certainly treat you well.”

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, already ravenous, surged into the Zhen residence like a pack of hungry wolves.

Seeing the fierce expressions of the soldiers, many of the female members of the household and servants were terrified.

“Quickly! Everyone, get moving! Make sure our honored soldiers are properly received!” Zhen Yan had seen enough of the world to react at once, ordering everyone to begin attending to their guests.

He entrusted the reception of the soldiers to his trusted aides and steward, while he himself went to Cao Peng and personally led him inside.

Cao Peng smiled. “I took a casual look around just now. It seems your most beautiful young lady is not here.”

Zhen Yan’s face turned pale, and he hurriedly replied, “You must mean my younger sister, Zhen Mi. She was delighted to hear that you had arrived and is inside dressing herself.”

Cao Peng gave him a teasing smile. “That is not what I heard. I have already been told that this young lady regards me as a force of nature and has no wish to come with me.”

Zhen Yan was so frightened that his soul nearly fled his body. Inwardly, he cursed Zhen Jiang countless times. How could she have revealed such a secret?

Yet he continued smiling obsequiously. “The general has misunderstood. My younger sister—”

Cao Peng had no intention of letting him explain.

He simply ordered Zhen Yan to lead the way. Cao Peng wanted to see for himself what this proud, willful young woman was like.

“Of course, General. Please follow me.”

With no other choice, Zhen Yan went ahead to lead the way.