Hearing this, Su An felt both amused and conflicted.
Zhang San put on this magnanimous smile because he was afraid she would feel guilty and blame herself.
But about this wife...
At this moment, Fu Zhun's deep, smiling voice slowly came from behind him:
"Zhang San, my camp is in dire need of someone as brave and fearless as you. Would you be willing to join the army and serve to protect our country? If so, I will help you find a good marriage and arrange a good wife for you."
Upon hearing this, Zhang San was first taken aback, then his eyes lit up with surprise.
He struggled to get up and bow, but was unable to move due to his injuries. He could only bow slightly and say excitedly, "Your Highness's appreciation is a blessing I earned in my past life! I, Zhang San, have nothing else but a heart full of passion and a worthless life. I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, I also have a few brothers who have gone through thick and thin with me. They are all loyal and hardworking. I would like to implore Your Highness to take them in as well, so that they may also have a chance to make a name for themselves!"
Zhang San was a straightforward person; whenever he thought of something, he would blush and speak excitedly.
It is precisely because of his rugged and straightforward nature that his first thought was of his own brothers, which is enough to show his loyalty and sincerity.
Fu Zhun nodded slightly, a hint of amusement and appreciation flashing in his deep eyes, and said, "Very well, since you have such courage and loyalty, how could I possibly keep you at arm's length?"
"You should rest and recover from your injuries. Once you are healed, you can take your brothers and report to the army."
Zhang San was immediately overjoyed, tears welling in his eyes, and he choked out, "Thank you so much, Your Highness! We will certainly not let you down!"
Su An finally came to her senses. She pouted and looked at Fu Zhun with suspicion.
"Are you doing this on purpose? You've poached Zhang San and the others, and now I'm left without any guys."
"Don't worry, I have a plan, I'll make sure you're satisfied." Fu Zhun's voice was still cool, but it seemed to carry a hint of tenderness.
The following day, Su An witnessed Fu Zhun's so-called arrangement—
They actually transferred all the secret guards to act as shop assistants!
The one who left the deepest impression on her was An Yi, who was disguised as an ordinary waiter, wearing coarse cloth clothes, with his hair casually tied up, revealing a taut face with sharp, chiseled features.
He pretended to be wiping the table, seemingly busy, but he was always on guard around him. Only when he looked at Su An would a faint murderous intent inadvertently flash in his eyes.
"..." Su An was completely numb.
Are they here to work, or to assassinate her?
Behind the counter not far away, An Si, a boy, stood straight. His face was slightly delicate and immature, but his expression was serious to the point of being rigid.
Whenever they meet someone, they will dutifully and earnestly speak ill of Su An: "Yes, that's right, my brother An Yi saw it with his own eyes, Su An is a seductive enchantress!"
"Even the prince couldn't resist her charms, everyone must stay away from her!"
"...I really will thank you." Su An couldn't help but twitch her lips, then turned her head and gave Fu Zhun a resentful look. "Is this your best arrangement?"
"Sir, I haven't offended you, have I? Why would you go to such lengths to plot against me!"
Meeting her sarcastic and accusing gaze, Fu Zhun coughed lightly and said, "Nonsense. The guards are good at observation and concealment, and their skills are also quite good. It's best for them to protect your shop."
"They have some prejudice against you, but once they get to know you, they will realize that you are not like that. Just relax."
Su An resignedly closed her eyes.
Alright, alright, they're just two troublemakers. Now that they've come to her shop, she can rightfully discipline them!
"It's time. Come on, I'll help you get revenge."
Fu Zhun suddenly spoke with an ambiguous expression, then naturally took her hand and pushed the wheelchair out.
Su An frowned in confusion and followed closely behind. Before long, he was taken to the execution platform in the south of the city.
On the stage, a dozen people were tightly bound with thick ropes. Their faces were filled with terror, and they kept wailing or cursing.
"Spare me! Spare me, sir! I know I was wrong, I will never do it again!"
"What's wrong with us? We didn't do anything! What right do you officials have to kidnap us!"
“They are—” Su An’s eyes widened, and upon closer inspection, he instantly recognized them.
Aren't these the same people who took advantage of the chaos to rob and plunder the city the most ruthlessly?
She looked at Fu Zhun with surprise.
Fu Zhun had a cold and aloof demeanor, his black robe fluttering in the wind, and his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes silently exuded an aura of iron-bloodedness and majesty.
He spoke in a deep voice: "The measures and methods you took to suppress the chaos in the city before were not wrong. It was only because these rioters instigated the disturbance that the situation became more and more chaotic, and you have suffered injustice."
“Now, those who deserve punishment must be severely punished. This is a move to establish authority and deter petty thieves.” He paused, then added, “It’s also to avenge you and support you.”
Gazing at his cold, aloof profile, Su An paused, her eyes slightly reddening.
So he knew all along; no wonder he said he was standing up for her.
By this time, a large crowd of people had gathered around. When they saw Fu Zhun and Su An, they all looked panicked and hurriedly made way for them, with their heads down, too guilty to speak.
The men bound to the guillotine felt a chill run down their spines upon seeing Su An, convinced they had stumbled upon some kind of devil.
This is definitely settling scores after the fact!
They immediately began to struggle frantically.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, spare my life! Even if I have made a mistake, I don't deserve to die!"
"I have an eighty-year-old mother and a three-year-old child at home. Please, Your Highness, show mercy!"
Fu Zhun slowly scanned the crowd, his eyes sharp and cold like stars, finally settling on the several people who were tied up.
“In the midst of the city’s chaos, you did not think of protecting your homes and country, but instead took advantage of the chaos to loot, burn, kill and plunder, committing all kinds of evil deeds, and your hands are stained with human lives. You are no different from traitors and bandits.”
"Today, I, the King, will pronounce your sentences according to the law. You are guilty and deserve to die."
Fu Zhun's face was ashen. After speaking, he slightly raised his hand and coldly uttered a single word: "Execute!"
The sound seemed to come from the deepest hell, chilling one to the bone.
Upon receiving the order, the executioners raised their blades and brought them down, blood splattering everywhere, and dozens of heads rolled to the ground one by one.
"Oh my god!"
The crowd below the stage was so frightened that they retreated one after another, staring at Fu Zhun in terror and fear, afraid that they would become one of those on the execution platform in the next second.
"Good and evil will be rewarded accordingly, and the law of the land will prevail." Fu Zhun spoke in a deep and powerful voice, which resounded like a bell in everyone's ears.
“Fuyou County is a piece of land under the Emperor’s feet, a place where people live and work in peace. When the county was in distress, His Majesty cared for the people and his imperial power spread far and wide. He personally issued an edict ordering me to come and quell the rebellion. I will never tolerate any further illegal or disorderly conduct.”
"Whoever dares to challenge the law and commit heinous acts will suffer the consequences!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com