The Qu family's maritime operations were renowned throughout southern Fujian. Having prospered since Emperor Taizu opened maritime trade, generations had dominated the waterways. The Qu family's shipbuilding techniques far surpassed their competitors, so much so that even the imperial court had to hire their craftsmen for ship construction.
Qu Hongying's father had three sons and one daughter. After his passing, no one expected the previously inconspicuous eldest daughter to participate in the power struggle and emerge victorious. Since she took charge, neither officials nor pirates had gained any advantage over the Qu family, with not a single incident occurring to date.
She commanded the most skilled sailors, the finest shipbuilders, and the most accurate storm predictors—all of whom served her with genuine admiration.
Qi Pei's involvement with her began last year during grain transport to Dengzhou. The route chosen by the Crown Prince was indeed the most feasible for delivering supplies, but carried significant risks during continuous heavy rainfall. Only Qu Hongying dared take the assignment.
Actually, Qu Hongying had initially refused Hua Taoyi's request, until Qi Pei personally intervened to persuade her.
At twenty-five, Qu Hongying was several years his senior. Her gaze toward him had always burned with intensity, and he long understood her feelings.
Qi Pei: "Aren't you repulsed by my... incomplete form?"
"If I were, I wouldn't be confessing my feelings today." Qu Hongying couldn't help leaning closer.
Her crimson lips nearly brushed his. Instead of the floral scents most women wore, she carried the moist aroma of sea breeze—not unpleasant. Qi Pei didn't retreat, their breaths mingling as he watched her for what felt like an eternity before finally curving his lips: "As you wish."
He agreed! He actually agreed!
Qu Hongying's heart hammered wildly, yet she swiftly withdrew, straightening her posture while turning partially away. "For your master's sake, would you sell yourself?"
She knew exactly whom Qi Pei served—that most exalted woman in the realm. During the Dengzhou flood relief, she'd glimpsed her from afar and finally understood how such peerless beauty could exist.
Having grown up on trading ships since childhood, with the Qu family being the preferred choice for nobility, she'd encountered countless wealthy maidens and elegant ladies. Some possessed beauty matching or even surpassing the Crown Princess's.
But to Qu Hongying, who'd witnessed countless charms, these women were merely pretty shells—beauty lasting barely a decade before withering away.
The Crown Princess was different. She carried an aura that made even Qu Hongying want to kneel in reverence—not because of her status, but something emanating from her very bones. The poorly educated Qu Hongying lacked words to describe it.
With downcast lashes like fine silk, Qi Pei responded: "For my mistress's desires, nothing in this world is unattainable. She has no need for me to sell myself."
For a moment, Qu Hongying felt both joy and bitterness—joy that he'd accepted her feelings for their own sake, bitterness that such a woman occupied his heart. Not romantically, yet etched so deeply she could never be erased.
Despite her broad-minded nature, she inexplicably cared damnably much. She desperately wanted to ask: if she and the Crown Princess were both in mortal danger, whom would he save? Thinking it, she actually blurted it out.
Hearing his soft chuckle afterward, Qu Hongying burned with regret.Qi Pei crooked his finger, and Qu Hongying leaned in closer. Unexpectedly, Qi Pei suddenly pressed the back of her head, pulling her abruptly near until his lips almost touched hers. His pale pupils seemed filled with a deadly allure and danger: "If that day comes, I will surely save our master."
Qu Hongying was furious. She tried to break free, but Qi Pei held her firmly, not allowing her to move an inch away from him: "I will save our master, and then join you in the netherworld."
His life and his family's innocence were bestowed by Shen Xihe—a debt as weighty as Mount Tai, one he could only repay with his life. If faced with a life-or-death choice and he chose the one he loved out of selfish desire, even if he could survive, he would have no face to stand between heaven and earth for the rest of his days.
He also firmly believed that such a man would be beneath Qu Hongying's regard.
Yet, in this world without her, he had no desire to live alone.
Shock, awe, and surging emotions made Qu Hongying impulsively peck Qi Pei, giving him a fierce kiss. Then, like a willow branch swaying in the wind, she twisted her waist and swiftly slipped out of his embrace. Turning her head, she cast him a smiling glance: "Remember your words!"
With that, she drifted away, her face radiant with delight as she verified the boarding personnel, checked everything, confirmed all procedures, and gave the order. The large ship gradually drifted away from the dock.
They set sail in the afternoon, and by the time night fell, they were already navigating the central part of the river. Looking around, there was nothing in sight but the vast expanse of water shimmering with ripples under the cold moonlight.
One by one, the lights in the ship's cabins went out, leaving only the swaying lanterns outside. In the profound silence, faint footsteps suddenly sounded, followed by a scream that pierced the night sky, causing a string of lanterns on the deck to sway violently for a moment.
The slaughter erupted without warning, with splashing sounds of people falling into the water rising one after another. The massive ship, unmoving at the river's center, had come to a standstill at some point. Some fell into the river, while others climbed up from the water. Soon, the clean deck was stained with a mixture of river water and blood.
Both Qi Pei and Qu Hongying remained in their respective rooms, waiting for another group to arrive as reinforcements.
Sure enough, before long, a brilliant signal flare lit up the night sky. The fighting outside intensified, and the previously motionless ship began to sway slightly. This vessel carried no idle passengers—it was almost entirely occupied by those with ulterior motives.
A few moments later, another clear Signal Flare sounded outside. About a quarter of an hour later, small boats emerged from all directions, heading toward the large ship. Rows of figures in dark, sturdy attire stood on the boats, their faces resolute and fierce, their swords and blades gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
It appeared to be two factions. Just as their boats approached the ship and before they could leap aboard, Qi Pei, timing it perfectly, blew a bamboo whistle.
Bubbles rose one after another as numerous figures suddenly emerged around the small boats. Sharp blades pierced through the boat bottoms—some missing their targets, others stabbing into the feet of the occupants.
The agile ambushers, like ghosts emerging from the river, gave no one a chance to react. Working in pairs, they gripped the small boats and pushed with combined force, sending everyone on board tumbling into the water. What awaited them was either a sword thrust through the chest or a blade severing head from body.
A faint pink hue churned up from the depths of the river, growing increasingly dense, turning crimson, and finally becoming as dark and impenetrable as thick ink.
Total annihilation.One hundred elite soldiers from the Youning Emperor's Invincible Army, one hundred crack troops from Xiao Changyan's Shadow Guard, and another group of approximately one hundred men—hundreds perished in the river. Not only did their blood stain the waters crimson, but it also attracted massive river creatures to devour the corpses, terrifying the fishermen who set out at dawn to fish, leaving them pale-faced. They immediately reported the incident to the authorities.
When the news reached the imperial court, the Youning Emperor slammed his palm heavily on the table, his face turning an unprecedented shade of grim.
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