Chapter 412 Athena and Liu Yangs Grudge (1/2)

Chapter 412 – Athena and Liu Yang's Grudge

March 10th, 192 AD.

Liu Yang and her followers arrived at Ye after they had taken shelter during the harsh winter. Using Khan's token and their envoy status, she managed to obtain an audience with Tong.

However, she did not come here as a diplomat. Her followers, Hua Xin and Huang Wan, acted as the Xiongnu envoys instead and disguised Liu Yang as a follower.

Hua Xin and Huang Wan were former Han Court's officials, who were swept by Dong Zhuo Army when they occupied Chang'An and Hongnong. They were also Lu Zhi's acquaintances and colleagues, who sided in the same faction.

When Lu Zhi saw Hua Xin and Huang Wan, he exclaimed in surprise.

”Ziyu! Ziyan! You are alive!”

Hua Xin turned to Lu Zhi in shock, ”Zigan? Wait, are you working here!?”

”Damn right, I'm working here. I've been here since the Yellow Turban Uprising! Where have you been?”

”We got stuck in Chang'An, and we were forced to work in Chengdu with the Xiongnu. Now that we're here, we-”

*AHEM*

Sitting on the throne, Tong coughed to interrupt Huang Wan, Hua Xin, and Lu Zhi's reunion since it was not an appropriate time.

The three stepped back and resumed their position. Lu Zhi returned to his post, while the two visitors adjusted their manner.

Hua Xin was a middle-aged politician and a scholar. In his mid-30s, he looked older than his age because he was a thinker and hard worker. A small portion of white hair mixing in his natural black hair revealed that his job in the Xiongnu Army was stressful. Even his long goatee beard had white lines in it. Hua Xin was also a well-manner scholar, who wore formal clothes like Lu Zhi.

Huang Wan was a senior civil officer of the Han Court, whose age was 52 this year. His hair and his beard were already grey, but his well-dressed scholar robes, neatly tied hair, demeanor, and clear eyes revealed that he was an upright person.

It was unfortunate that these two honest officers fell to the hands of Xiongnu. Ironically, they visited Tong for Xiongnu's business.

The senior Huang Wan kowtowed and stated his business, ”My apologies, your majesty. We're a representative of Chanyu Khan of Xiongnu, and we're here to establish goodwill with the Han Empire.”

He turned to Lu Zhi and Hua Xin before he laughed, ”That's what I wanted to say. That was a joke, your majesty. Honestly, we are using this opportunity to escape from the Xiongnu's slavery. Sir Huang Wan, his daughter, and I managed to get her using the stolen token from Khan. So, we hope that you can shelter us. We will also use our experience and knowledge to help you if you don't mind our old bones.”

Hua Xin also explained, ”Please forgive us for giving you false information. Without this excuse, we won't be able to meet you and clean our name.”

Tong looked at the two with a smile, believing that more talented civil officers were presenting themselves, asking for a post in his ranks. Since they were honest officials who were his master's friends, there was no reason to decline their service.

”Welcome back to the Han Dynasty. Although I'm not surnamed Liu, I hope you will work for me as if you are still serving the old emperor.”

The two officers almost cried from this joyous occasion. Still, they did not forget what they had to do to get their promised freedom from Liu Yang.

Currently, their family members were being held hostages, which Liu Yang and her men kept them around in this city.

To get their freedom, both officers had to help her infiltrate into Tong's harem. Once she got his baby, their family members would be freed.

Now, Liu Yang had disguised herself as someone from the Qiang Tribe. Currently, she had the same age as Medusa, but her statue was as short as Dong Bai because she never exercised with her human body. Moreover, Khan's [Create Food] only summoned necessary provisions, such as vegetables, rice, and horse meat. They lacked variety as Khan lacked practical experience, which contributed to her lack of nutrition.

Still, Liu Yang was a loli beauty that could shine once she got older.

Hua Xin raised his head up and spoke in a clear voice, ”Your majesty, there is one thing that weighs my mind, and I have to ask you for a rude favor. I've brought my daughter with me during my journey, and I hope that you can shelter her in your inner palace.”

”In other words, you want me to take her as my concubine?”

”Embarrassingly, I have to admit my shamelessness. Yes, your majesty. You don't have to bestow my friend or me anything. I just hope that she can find happiness with you.”

Tong frowned because his excuse was odd and suspicious. Even Lu Zhi raised his eyebrows and looked at his friend in disbelief.

While Tong's wry smile was apparent to everyone in the throne room, he asked the awkward father, ”Do you even understand what you're requesting? You have served the former emperor for years, but haven't you learned that the inner palace is hell for new concubines? While we are struggling to unify the land, my concubines have been busy trying to kill their rivals to become my empress. She might suffer worse than death in my palace.”

Hua Xin's face paled, realized that he had made a mistake or had picked a wrong excuse. He glanced at Liu Yang, who hid her eyes from Tong.

Huang Wan sensed that his colleague messed up. He raised his voice to cover for Hua Xin.

”My junior has chosen the wrong wordings. I hope that you can forgive him, your majesty. Honestly, we are broke, homeless, and we have no servant. We want to get a good place to start a new life as soon as possible, but my junior worries about his daughter that she might waste her life marrying a lowlife while she has the talent and beauty. Since it is a waste to give her to an unknown man, he tries to give her to you, so at least she can gamble her luck and display her talent in your inner palace.”

Lu Zhi sighed a relieved, learning that Hua Xin did not have a hidden motive. Still, it was odd since he could just give his daughter to a promising young official or a general among Tong's ranks.

Young generals and strategists here were all pedigrees with high status. Therefore, Hua Xin's daughter could have a better life being the main wife of a general than being Tong's concubine, where the war of women was still ongoing.

Tong also had the same thought as Lu Zhi.

'Too suspicious. Heck, my schedule is full after Medusa and Friday have come here. I don't think I have the time to take care of another woman. I should decline and introduce the daughter to one of my generals. Come to think of it, most of them are still virgins, right? I should get them to marry someone, so they can have a family.'

Liu Yang had been sensing Tong's fluctuate with her instinct. Although she could not use her power, her sixth sense was sharper than ordinary immortals.

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In ancient times, the mother of Medusa was once a human with peerless beauty. Even young gods fell in love with her.